Cape Coral blood centers face summer shortages

Blood donation centers in Cape Coral need donors.

Florida's Blood Centers and Lee Memorial Blood Center, the two centers in Cape Coral, are experiencing a shortage this summer.

"It's a very challenging time," said Susan Forbes, vice president of marketing for Florida's Blood Centers. "Donors may be on vacation but the need for blood remains — it doesn't go on vacation."

It's harder to receive donations in the summertime, said Nancy Hendrick, community development coordinator for Lee Memorial Blood Center. That's because there are no high school and college blood drives during the summer, and many donors are seasonal.

"We're still experiencing shortages of O negative, B negative and A negative," Hendrick said. "We're also experiencing a B positive low."

Hendrick said it's hard to accurately measure the need for specific units of blood. Right now they are low on B positive because a patient needed 60 units of blood. A unit is one person's donation and that equals approximately a pint of blood. The body has 10-12 pints of blood. It took 60 people to donate in order to help that one person in need, Hendrick said.

Florida's Blood Centers needs all donations and O negative is always in high demand.

"(It's) one of the hardest ones to keep on the shelf," Forbes said.

O negative is so much in demand because it is universal. That blood type can be given to any patient. Only about 7 percent of the U.S. population has O negative blood.

"The need is real," Forbes said. "It's a 24/7, 365 process."

Forbes said that after the blood is tested, it is typically transfused in 48 to 72 hours.

"It doesn't hang around," Forbes said.

Blood donors receive incentives for their good deed. Florida's Blood Centers now offers a $10 Darden Restaurant Gift Card, which can be redeemed at Olive Garden, Red Lobster and other chain restaurants, for center donations. Mobile donations receive a movie ticket.

At Lee Memorial, all donors receive a T-shirt. A meal ticket is given for donation at a donor center.

"We try to make sure they have a pleasant experience so they come back," Hendrick said.

Donna Agostinelli, a Cape Coral resident, loves to give blood. She has made more than 137 donations, totaling 17 gallons. She said she donates to help people in need.

"You can't make it — it has to come from us," she said.

Agostinelli is in the minority of America. Forbes said only 5 percent to 10 percent of people donate blood, while almost 40 percent of the population is eligible.

"It's one of the highest callings you can do for the community," Forbes said. "(It's) literally giving someone a second chance at life and that's very powerful."


If You Go

Florida's Blood Centers

Where: 601 Del Prado Blvd. N., Unit 6

Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; closed Wednesday and Sunday

Call: 574-3170

Website: floridasbloodcenter.org

Lee Memorial Blood Center

Where: Cape Coral Hospital, 636 Del Prado Blvd.

Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday; 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday

Call: 424-2400

Website: leememorial.org/bloodcenter


Who can donate?

• Anyone 17 years and older, 16 with parental consent

• Over 115 pounds for Lee Memorial, 102 pounds for Florida's Blood Center

• Photo ID is required for new donors

Schools take part in open house; Cape Coral Hospital hosts education fair

Cape Coral Hospital hosted an education fair June 24.

The annual open house brought 14 schools of higher education to the hospital from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Hospital employees and residents went from booth to booth and colleges such as Kaplan University, Nova Southeastern University, High Tech North and others had representatives on hand to answer questions.

"The flow has been pretty good," said Kristin Masencup, nursing program manager for Rasmussen College. "A lot of parents seeking information for their kids, for themselves."

The fair was organized by Lee Memorial Health System. Cape Coral Hospital was the last stop in the four-day education fair tour, which also visited Gulf Coast Hospital, HealthPark Medical Center and Lee Memorial Hospital.

Mike Polito, human resources administration business partner for Lee Memorial Health System, estimates that around 200 people visited the fair in the other locations.

"With the economy as bad as it is the public will be looking for career changes and we want to help them," Polito said.

Polito said there is high growth in health care careers.

Cape Coral Hospital, for example, now has more than 175 open positions.

Lauren Willison, a representative from Edison State College, said that many registered nurses are checking out bachelor's degree programs and many licensed practical nurses are looking into the RN programs.

"(It's) a nice opportunity for employees of Lee Memorial Health System to see the opportunity of advancement," Willison said.

Allison Ihrig, a hospital volunteer, is looking to change careers.

"I'm changing degrees from a teacher to a nurse," said Ihrig, who visited the fair to get more information about nursing programs offered locally.

Others just happened to visit the fair by chance.

"I just walked by and saw it," said Yvette Sewell. "I'm trying to get a bachelor's degree in business management."

Jason Teeters, corporate education manager at Rasmussen College, said Lee Memorial Health System is doing a great job responding to the need for higher education.

The next fair is tentatively scheduled for March.