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Region's Blood Supply Now About Half Of What's Needed

Blood shortages can be triggered by major accidents or disasters. But demand can also be linked to rare medical conditions. The Blood Center says it has only half the supply that’s needed.

One recently involved six-year-old Avery Brink. In September, she was taken by ambulance from the north shore to Children’s Hospital in New Orleans. She had contracted a rare disease that ultimately required surgery and 96 blood transfusions.

Her father, Jason Brink:

“There were so many things to worry about and so many things happening to her that they never made an issue out of the blood," Brink said. "And I remember being somewhat concerned about the blood but I asked one of the good nurses and they told me, “Well, if she needs blood we’ll get it. It’s not a big deal.”  

But, of course, it was. 

Blood Center spokesman Paul Adams:

“There was somebody at Children’s Hospital. We didn’t know who she was. We just knew that that person was using close to 12 units per day, and we stepped up. The family never knew anything. But we were struggling, Adams said.

Avery is now doing cartwheels while awaiting decisions on her future treatments .

Donations can be made throughout the area by contacting the Blood Center.

Eileen is a news reporter and producer for WWNO. She researches, reports and produces the local daily news items. Eileen relocated to New Orleans in 2008 after working as a writer and producer with the Associated Press in Washington, D.C. for seven years.

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