Cape Cod Healthcare Asks For Blood Donations

BARNSTABLE, MA — Over the past few months, blood center inventories have fallen to their lowest levels since before the coronavirus pandemic. Cape Cod Healthcare officials said nationwide, blood centers have experienced a significant drop in donations which is limiting the ability for the overall blood supply to be adequately replenished.

Locally, health officials said the Cape Cod Healthcare blood program is experiencing the same challenge as the organization transitions back to a new normal and looks forward to resuming elective surgeries.

Lok Tse, the supervisor for transfusion medicine services at Cape Cod Healthcare, reviewed the recent history of the blood donation levels and needs. During the early stages of the pandemic, the blood supply decreased to a critical level but then, thanks to a strong response from the public, the blood supply was replenished.

"Though our donors have been extremely supportive and generous, we are challenged by cancellation of regular blood drives as many businesses, high schools and community organizations remain closed," Tse said. "The social distancing measures have limited our ability to collect blood at pre-pandemic levels, simply by the numbers of donors allowed at one time."

Jonathan DeCoste, the hospitals' senior blood donor recruiter said the Cape Cod Healthcare Blood Program continues to need blood, and it’s important people know the coronavirus does not pose any known risk to blood donors during the donation process or from attending blood drives.

"Blood centers are regulated by the FDA and must follow specific guidelines to ensure donor safety at all times," he said.

Four blood drives are scheduled for next week at the CCHC Physician Recruitment Building at 4 Bayview in West Yarmouth. The schedule can be found below:

Monday, June 8, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Tuesday, June 9, 10 a.m - 4 p.m.
Wednesday, June 10, 10 a.m - 4 p.m.
Thursday, June 11, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

To minimize contact with others, all donations are by appointment only. To make an appointment, visit our website at www.capecodhealth.org/give-blood.

The full list of drives can be found at https://www.capecodhealth.org/ways-to-give/blood-center/