June 6, 2023

This morning, Versiti Blood Center of Indiana issued an emergency appeal for blood donations. With less than a day's supply of available blood, communities throughout the state face a potential crisis as hospitals may not have the blood needed to treat patients. Help saves lives and enter your ZIP code here to find your nearest blood drive or center and schedule an appointment.

Heading into the summer months, Versiti has seen a drastic drop in scheduled appointments, with nearly 2,500 open appointments over the next seven days. 25 percent of our blood collections come from our high school and college partners, meaning that when it’s summer vacation, those community blood drives are not happening. Unfortunately, the need for blood does not take a summer vacation. While Versiti anticipates this dip every year, the situation is compounded by the fact that we are also seeing fewer first-time donors walking through our doors, which is adding to an already dangerous situation.

Around 20 percent of our donors are first-time donors; and unfortunately, more than 50 percent of those donors only donate once. With an aging donor base and increased need, first-time blood donors are desperately needed.

As we are reaching out to the community, we graciously ask for your support in helping to encourage your community to donate blood in the coming days and weeks. Blood on the shelves TODAY will save lives TOMORROW.

To find a donor center or community blood drive near you, call 1-317-916-5150 or visit versiti.org.

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Versiti Blood Center of Indiana

3450 N. Meridian St. | Indianapolis, IN 46208