Increased traffic and visitors for solar eclipse could strain local blood supply

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- There is a call for blood donations ahead of the April 8 Solar Eclipse.

“We've been working with hospitals, and they are requesting an additional 200 donations ahead of the eclipse to be prepared for any higher incidences of traumas,” said Nick Canedo, the Vice President of Community Engagement for We are Blood.

The blood bank is the exclusive provider of the Central Texas community’s blood supply.

“Eight different hospitals are concerned about ramping up their blood donation inventory to meet patient need,” said Canedo.

Area hospitals are not only relying on We are Blood, so are Austin-Travis County and Williamson County EMS services.

“They actually carry a whole blood on certain vehicles to be able to perform blood transfusions in the field for patients to make a lifesaving difference before they even arrive at a hospital,” said Canedo.

An expected increase of travel delays could slow down the blood supply for hospitals and first responders.

”The reality of that traffic could impact our ability to deliver life-saving blood to the hospitals over that week, or especially on April 8, with the eclipse actually occurring.”

We Are Blood wants to be ready for any increase and asks for blood donors.

“We're gonna need an extra 200 donations and especially needed are O positive type blood, OH negative type blood and platelet donations,” said Canedo.

“But all types are needed, though, to ensure that we can make sure that hospitals can meet daily patient need but be prepared for the impacts of the solar eclipse.”

Find a location to donate blood online.