BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — ConnectLife announced Saturday it is seeing a decline in local blood donations, due to what it says is a fear of the coronavirus.
"Warnings that the public should stay home and avoid crowds is leading to cancelled appointments and blood drives," a release states. "We are urging all eligible donors to make and keep their appointments to donate, and encouraging all blood drive sponsors to continue hosting scheduled drives."
ConnectLife says to ensure adequate blood supply it is imperative that healthy, eligible individuals donate blood so that an adequate supply can be maintained.
"Blood donors must be healthy, feeling well and free of respiratory illness symptoms to be eligible to donate. It is the blood already on the shelves that saves lives, so we want to ensure that we have enough should the COVID-19 infiltrate WNY."
ConnectLife is the primary supplier of blood products to the following local health facilities:
Oishei Children’s Hospital
Buffalo General Medical Center
Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital
Degraff Memorial Hospital
ECMC
Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center
Eastern Niagara Hospital
Wyoming County Community Health System
Olean General Hospital
Brooks-TLC Health System in Dunkirk
Bradford Regional Medical Center
