Blood Emergency: Urgent Call For Donors In Rhode Island

PROVIDENCE, RI — The Ocean State is under a severe blood shortage. The Rhode Island Blood Center issued an urgent call for donors, saying that hospitals are close to running out.

Rhode Island Hospital, the state's only level one trauma center, only has one to two days of blood on hand, the organization said, adding that the supply could be wiped out by just one massive blood transfusion protocol.

"Put it this way, someone may need 40 units of blood in as little as 80 minutes … That can wipe out our supply," said Dr. Stephanie Lueckel, a trauma surgeon at the hospital.

Find a blood donation center or drive near you using the Blood Center's website. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, advance appointments are encouraged to allow for social distancing.

"Please donate blood today or make an appointment as soon as you can," the organization said. "Our community depends on you right now!"