Winter Storm Underscores Urgent Need for Blood Donors

New England's Blizzard of 2026 not only buried the region in snow, but it is also impacting blood supplies.

Storm-related closures are not limited only to schools and businesses. They also impact the Rhode Island Blood Center and its blood donor centers, threatening hospital blood supplies and emergency readiness.

Writing for What's Up Newport, Frank Prosnitz explains the challenges that winter weather poses for blood donation centers. "For over a decade, I worked at the Rhode Island Blood Center in communications, learning firsthand the importance of having adequate blood supplies available, and the difficulty in maintaining those levels when weather and other events make it difficult to recruit donors," he said. "From that experience alone, I urge anyone capable of donating blood to consider taking an hour out of their day ... to donate, helping assure someone a chance at life."

Only about 3% of eligible Americans donate blood, leaving a large gap in participation. Approximately 62% of the population is eligible to donate.

Prosnitz explained that blood products have limited shelf lives — platelets last five days, red cells 42 days, and frozen plasma up to a year. Thus, receiving timely donations during and after storms is crucial for blood donation centers.

Transfusions can require substantial amounts of blood. The average red blood cell transfusion is about three units, and severe cases can require up to 100 units for a single patient.

In Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Blood Center operates multiple donor centers. They include the Aquidneck Donor Center in Middletown and locations in Providence, Narragansett, Warwick, and Woonsocket.

To learn about donor center hours or to schedule a donation appointment, visit the blood center's website.