MDA expects blood shortage during holidays

Those interested in bringing organized groups to donate should call the MDA blood bank at Tel Hashomer at 03-530-0402/69.

By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH
MDA blood donation 370 (photo credit: Courtesy AFMDA)
MDA blood donation 370
(photo credit: Courtesy AFMDA)
The timing of the High Holy Days coming right on the tail of the summer vacation is expected to worsen more than usual the blood shortage at Magen David Adom.
MDA said on Tuesday that as a result, it will have difficulty collecting the 1,200 blood units needed every day. The two days of Rosh Hashana begin on the evening of Wednesday, September 4 followed by Shabbat.
In addition, most of the holidays occur on weekdays this year, giving fewer days to collect blood at MDA stations.
The shortage is liable to make it difficult for MDA to supply enough blood to the hospitals, as well as disrupting ongoing medical care and postponing elective surgery. All types of blood are expected to be short, said MDA, but especially O and Rh negative.
Every donor is entitled to blood insurance for his immediate family members, MDA said. Adults may donate every three months.
The organization’s blood supply services has listed the locations for donations on the organization’s website at http://mdais.org/dam. One can get up-to-date information by calling 1-800-400- 101 or via MDA applications for Android smartphones at the Play Store and for Apple phones at the App Store.
Those interested in bringing organized groups to donate should call the MDA blood bank at Tel Hashomer at 03-530-0402/69.
MDA director-general Eli Bin said that he expects a “drastic decline in blood donations this year” because of all these circumstances.
“To continue our lifesaving work and to provide the assistant that everyone needs, I call on the public to reach our blood-donation centers around the country as soon as possible,” Bin said.