And those who already have appointments are urged to keep them, Stevens said. Even some of the regular donors sometimes miss their appointments during the summer. He donates every eight weeks. Densmore, a Providence Medford Medical Center employee, has given nearly 14 gallons of blood since he started donating. I just kept going.
Any shortage affects the whole region.
A disaster such as a highway crash with multiple victims requiring transfusions would draw down available blood supplies, she said. For instance, one person could use 50 units. To donate, a person must be at least 17 years old, healthy and weight more than 105 pounds. Donors are given snacks after giving blood.