URGENT: Mayo Clinic Blood Center in Rochester in Critical Need of Blood Donations
The Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Center is in urgent and immediate need for O+ and O- donations – lives depend on it. Our supply has reached critically low levels.
The Mayo Clinic Blood Center issued a news release today asking for residents in the Rochester area, specifically those who have an O+ or O- blood type, to roll up their sleeves and donate as their supply has reached critically low levels.
Seasonal Shortages and The Holiday Will Significantly Affect O+ Blood Supply
In the news release, the Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Center in Rochester said that the center urgently needs donations of type O positive and O negative blood. Outside vendors cannot help fill the seasonal shortages that the Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Center is experiencing because of their own shortages.
The center will be closed on December 24th in observance of Christmas Eve. This small break in donations will significantly affect the already low O+ blood supply at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, given the already low number of blood donations due to the holiday season.
It only takes a few patients in need of a transfusion to greatly deplete are already severely low supply to critical levels. We need O Blood Donors – lives depend on it.
What You Need to Know About Scheduling Your Donation
There are two locations where you can donate blood in Rochester.
Downtown - The Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Center's location on the main floor of the Hilton Building is open weekdays from 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Blood Donor Center will be closed on December 24th.
Saint Marys Campus - The Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Center's location at Joseph M-86 is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Blood Donor Center will be closed on December 24th
If you have donated blood within the past 12 weeks, you're not eligible to donate at this time. A 12-week period between donations allows the body to maintain healthy iron levels. With their scheduled appointments only guidelines in place - due to being mindful of safety and social distancing - the center invites you to schedule your blood donation appointment by calling (507) 284-4475. They have many same-day appointments available if you are not able to schedule your donation in advance.
You can learn more about the Mayo Clinic Blood Donation Center here.