blood

OneBlood sent extra blood to hospitals ahead of Hurricane Milton’s landfall. However, the blood bank says it will need to catch up after many donation centers closed due to the storm.

The statewide blood bank says that blood and platelet donations are urgently needed ahead of Hurricane Milton.

OneBlood has returned to normal course of business for distribution of blood products to hospitals following last month's ransomware attack.

Several days after the blood center reported it was involved in a ransomware attack, OneBlood’s digital system is pumping blood to Florida hospitals once again.

The primary provider of blood in Florida says it’s remaining operational to collect, test and distribute as it works to restore full functionality to its systems "as expeditiously as possible.”

The Red Cross says donations are at a 20-year low and hospitals are demanding blood products faster than the organization can replenish supplies.

The new vehicle is a larger, roomier mobile unit and is now in service accepting blood donations.

Part of the reason for the shortage is that there are fewer donors visiting blood collection centers in cities and towns in the aftermath of the pandemic, the National Health Service said.

The nation’s largest supplier of platelets is moving to a method it says is easier for hospitals, but one that sharply raises costs, leading some centers to demand more options.

The Red Cross is experiencing its lowest supply of blood in more than a decade heading into the holidays.