Rampant Flu Season is Crippling Blood Donation in the Stateline
By: Matt Mershon
Updated: January 3, 2013
ROCKFORD - Experts are calling
this year's flu season one of the worst in the last decade and the virus is
getting many sick right here in the Stateline.
The flu creates another casualty in the
Sneezing and
coughing is the last thing you would want in a blood donation center, and that's
why many of the donating chairs at RRVBC are empty.
"We're starting to
see blood donors call us and say they can't come in to make their appointments
because they're not feeling well and healthy," said Jennifer Bowman, public
relations coordinator for RRVBC. Bowman
adds that being in good health is a condition that the blood center requires
donors to follow.
Signs of the flu
are present inside
"The flu shot doesn't
cover all strains of the flu and we've been seeing other forms of flu strains
in the emergency department than what the flu shot covered this year," said
Boylan.
Boylan says with it
being the flu-season, getting the flu is pretty common this time of year, but
Boylan adds that there definitely is a surge.
"We've seen a lot
of cases here in the emergency department and it feels like we're getting
toward the peak of the season," said Boylan.
Blood collection
has been hindered because of influenza, in addition to the fact this time of
year generally has less donors visiting local blood banks. RRVBC says they have a severe shortage of
platelets and they're surviving on only a days worth of O - type blood.
"Some blood centers
have had hospitals that have actually had to cancel surgeries due to a lack of
blood product," said Bowman.
"We're proud to say
in 60 years of doing business, not one of our hospitals has ever had to cancel
a surgery due to a lack of blood."
