The entire country is experiencing a blood shortage right now and Mississippi is no exception. According to The Mississippi Blood Services website, donations of all but two blood types are critically needed in the state. The MBS is the state’s only FDA-licensed blood center, and they are urgently asking for blood donations of all types as well as platelets.
Blood shortage continues in Mississippi
Lacey Alexander
Experts say that blood banks never quite bounced back after 2020, when COVID caused the medical industry to utilize more resources than normal. However, blood shortages in the state of Mississippi pre-date the pandemic.
Now that the fall and holiday months are here, there's a hope that donations will increase. Brittany Mitchell, a Donor Resources Specialist with Mississippi Blood Services, says the blood shortage started during the summer months when it is especially a difficult time for organizations like hers.
“Summer months are always extremely hard on blood centers,” she says. “People are out on vacation and traveling more, which takes into account there being more accidents.”
Mitchell says one blood type in particular is always in high demand, and it can be hard to come by.
“O negative is what’s needed the most which is the most rare blood type,” she said. “but it is universal, so all blood types can receive that blood… we’re constantly trying to get it out to hospitals for patients who need it.”
But Mitchell says that while some types are in higher demand than others, all types are always needed in times like these. She says that some patients could potentially be put on a wait list if things do not improve.