University Hospitals suffering platelet shortage

IOWA CITY - A lack of platelet donations at the DeGowin Blood Center has led to a shortage at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics.

Paula Dayton, Donor Recruitment for the UI DeGowin Blood Center, said the high number of sick people has most likely caused donations to drastically drop in the past two weeks.

“We need a steady supply of healthy donors,” Dayton said, noting people must be healthy for a period of five days before they can qualify to donate blood, platelets, or plasma.

While there are constant blood drives, she said platelet donations are not taking during those times.

Cancer and trauma patients rely heavily on blood transfusions for many procedures and platelets to stop blood clotting, Dayton said.

Dayton encourages any willing donor to call the DeGowin Blood Center at (319) 356-2058 to see if you qualify to be a donor.