Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin needs your help as blood shortage continues
WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- The Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin is hosting its 22nd annual Season of Giving blood drive at the Milwaukee County Zoo, with incentives to bring out donors to help alleviate the blood shortage.
On Tuesday, Dec. 27, a steady stream of donors filled the Milwaukee County Zoo to donate blood, but it's not too late for more donors to help out. The blood drive will continue through Wednesday.
Director of Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin, Denise Dembosky, said they hope to fill that need.
"The need is always great, especially around the holidays. Families get busy because of traveling, they're visiting. But in addition to that, we were hit by those storms the past couple of days, so that really prevented donors from coming out and seeing us," said Dembosky.
Since the pandemic, the blood shortage nationwide has grown. Dembosky said their greater need is in O type blood.
"All blood types are needed, but it's significant that our O donations, that's where our lowest inventory sits," said Dembosky.
She said their goal is to hit the 500-donor mark, which would save about 1,500 local patients.
Among those donors today were a mother-son duo. Karen Sharp and her son Jacob Sharp said they made time in their day to give back.
"We are blessed with good health and just want to share that good health with other people through giving blood, because one blood donation can help several people," said Karen.
Donors left with plenty of presents, including same-day zoo admission, a ticket for a future visit, a $15 e-gift card and a Bundt cake.
Donors can make their way to the Milwaukee County Zoo to donate blood on Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.