The Laboratory Services Department within the Health Services Authority (HSA) estimates it needs a minimum of 290 more blood donors to safely get through the 2006 hurricane season. But it would be better if it had 490 more blood donors, which means HSA needs 69 percent more people than it currently has on roster.

When the hospital has not been able to generate sufficient blood supply from local donors it has relied on suppliers located in New Orleans and southern Florida. But because of hurricanes in the last couple years, getting blood to make up the shortfalls from these suppliers is difficult according to Laboratory Services Manager Joan Terry.

"There have been no imports of blood since before Hurricane Katrina last year," said Ms Terry. "Everybody is conserving their blood supplies. Our main supplier, Blood Center in America, is also having difficulties, because there is a global blood shortage.

"We are holding our own right now but if we have a serious catastrophe during hurricane season or any disaster we would have a serious problem."

Ms Terry explained that blood only lasts 35 days so there is a continuous need to obtain blood from donors throughout the year. Laboratory Services tries to maintain 35 to 40 units supply, but during the hurricane season that number is upped to 50 units.

She said donors normally give blood three times a year so it is important to keep a list of regular volunteers.

After Hurricane Ivan, the donor roster fell down to 551 so more blood was imported from the US Laboratory Services and it has now built up the roster to 710 donors, but they really need 1000 to 1200 donors of all blood types to continue to be self-reliant.

Another problem that has negatively impacted the donor list is Mad Cow disease. Laboratory Services cannot take blood from residents who visit the UK frequently, because of the contamination risk from Mad Cow disease.

This has eliminated a large portion of the available group who can donate blood.

Ms Terry noted that many regular donors who give blood over the years are expatriates so she foresees the rollover may also negatively impact their roster.

Entering the first weekend of hurricane season, Ms Terry confirmed the Lab has 45 units of blood, which is good, but it only takes one patient to come in bleeding to deplete their supplies.

Medical Technologist, Judith Clarke, said they need all blood type groups but O negative is especially needed because people of all blood types can use this blood.

"If there is an emergency and you are bleeding to death and we do not have time to do your grouping then we will give you O negative," noted Ms Clarke.

Ms Clarke added the Lab is encouraging more young people to become donors.
"If you are 18 and over and you are healthy you can give blood," she said.

According to the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), each country should collect blood equal to 5 percent of its population as an adequate supply. But the only country that meets that goal in the Americas is Cuba. The US has 4.6 percent; Canada, 3.3 percent; Uruguay, 3.5 percent; and in the Caribbean, Curacao has 4.1 percent and Aruba, 3.5 percent.

shurna@caymannetnews.com