The low supply is endangering both groups' ability to meet their hospitals' routine blood requirements for trauma and surgical patients as well as premature babies and others who might need transfusions, officials said.
The shortage also means, they said, that the region is ill-prepared for a terrorist attack such as the subway and bus bombings in London on July 7 that killed more than 50 people. They said it takes about 48 hours to screen, package and label donated blood, meaning that hospitals cannot rely on instant donations to fulfill immediate blood needs during an emergency.
"The blood needs to be there before the need," Inova's Wilson said. Compounding the problem is that blood banks nationwide are experiencing the same shortages, she said, so there is no one to whom the Washington region can appeal for more blood -- other than local residents.
Wilson said she hoped the gas-card incentive would entice first-time donors as well as past donors. Though it is safe to give blood as often as once every eight weeks, the average donor gives 1.6 times a year. Less than 5 percent of eligible donors give at all.
Both organizations strongly prefer that donors make an appointment before giving blood, but they can accommodate walk-ins. More information about giving blood, including contact information for donor centers, can be found by calling the American Red Cross at 800-GIVELIFE or Inova Blood Donor Services at 866-BLOODSAVES.
Staff writer Carrie Donovan contributed to this report.
