Terror attack in New Orleans highlights need for blood donations across the nation

ST. LOUIS – Every two seconds in the United States, someone needs blood.

As the nation mourns the tragedy of the New Year’s Eve attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, ImpactLife mobilized to send emergency blood supplies south as part of its Blood Emergency Response Corps to ensure survivors received the care they needed in the immediate aftermath.

“There are donors that gave blood within recent days whose blood itself from their very body is now on its way to help patients in New Orleans,” Kirby Winn, ImpactLife spokesman, said.

The attack, which left dozens either dead or injured, created an urgent demand for blood at New Orleans-area hospitals. The swift response was made possible partly by donors from the Midwest, who gave blood during December drives.

“I would really ask people to consider really how important it is that we have had a stable blood supply thanks to donors who have found the time,” Winn said.

ImpactLife says they prioritize local needs before shipping blood components outside of the blood center’s direct service region. Keeping local banks stocked requires a constant influx of donations. Blood donations are lowest around the holidays due to fewer mobile blood drives being deployed and schools closing for the winter break.

“And the reason we do it, of course, is to help patients who experience injuries and a need wherever they are, but also because we know we may need that level of support, this kind of response in our own service region,” Winn said.

Donating blood more often makes a great impact and New Year's resolutions. For more information on ImpactLife donation sites and mobile drives, you can visit BloodCenter.org.