Snowstorm Impacts Blood Donations

Thursday’s winter storm — or the threat of it — has resulted in cancelled donation appointments and the cancellation of several blood drives in areas where BloodCenter of Wisconsin serves patients in need.

Because of the storm, BloodCenter anticipates an overall shortfall of more than 1,000 units of blood over the next two days, which would result in a shortage.

BloodCenter asks that those who are able to safely keep scheduled appointments do so. And those who do not yet have an appointment can make one for Saturday, Sunday or Monday by calling 1-877-BE-A-HERO or by visiting www.bcw.edu/snow.

In addition, BloodCenter has extended its donor center hours at several locations this Saturday, Dec. 22. Staff will be on hand until 3 p.m. at the following donor centers:

• Greenfield -  7210 W. Edgerton Ave.
• Wauwatosa – 8733 Watertown Plank Rd.
• Brown Deer – 5960 W. Brown Deer Rd.
• Waukesha – 2111 Springdale Rd.
• Racine – 1120 S. Sunnyslope Rd.
• West Bend – 130 Valley Ave.

Because platelets are critically important, four locations will be open by appointment Sunday, Dec. 23, for platelet donors:

• Wauwatosa; Greenfield; Waukesha and West Bend

All blood types are needed, but there is a particular need for type O Negative blood, as well as platelets.