Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin issued an emergency appeal for blood donations because communities throughout Wisconsin face a potential crisis with blood supplies dropping to critically low levels.

The state’s blood supply has dropped to ensuring less than a day’s supply of life-saving blood to supply Versiti’s more than 68 hospital partners throughout the state. Ideally, Versiti strives for a three-day supply of blood available to its partner hospitals.

All blood types are needed with type O-negative and O-positive blood most in demand. Through Monday, June 21, Versiti is expanding capacity and extending hours at its centers to help with donation collection.

"As COVID-19 restrictions ease, allowing people to gather again and enjoy all that a Wisconsin summer has to offer, the attention has shifted away from blood donation, creating a crisis for the state's blood supply," said Dr. Dan Waxman, vice president of transfusion medicine and senior medical director at Versiti. "We are urgently seeking help from our loyal donors and the public and asking that anyone able, to please donate blood today. Your donation is vital to ensure that Wisconsin hospitals have the blood they need for their patients."

One donation of blood, which takes less than one hour, can help save up to three lives.

Here is a list of places to donate blood:

·       GREENFIELD: 7210 W. Edgerton Ave.

·       KENOSHA: 8064 39th Ave.

·       MARSHFIELD: 508 N. Central

·       MANITOWOC: 619 Reed Ave.

·       MILWAUKEE: 638 North 18th St.

·       RACINE: 1120 S. Sunnyslope Dr.

·       WAUKESHA: 2111 Springdale Road

·       WEST BEND: 130 Valley Ave.

·       WAUWATOSA: 8733 Watertown Plank Road

Walk-ins are welcome. To schedule an appointment to donate blood, call (866) 642-5663 or visit Versiti online at versiti.org/WI.

Wisconsin residents can also make an appointment to donate at a local community blood drive in their area. Times, dates and locations of upcoming local drives can be found online at https://donate.wisconsin.versiti.org/. Interested donors should click the “Schedule to Donate” tab to find the nearest drive to them.

Anyone age 17 or older in good health who meets eligibility requirements is encouraged to give. Parental consent is required for donors age 16 to donate blood. Donors should bring a photo ID that includes their birth date.

Donors who are fully vaccinated are not required to wear a face covering while in Versiti facilities. Non-vaccinated donors are asked to continue to wear a face covering, except where medical conditions prevent them from wearing one. All Versiti donation locations are practicing social distancing and closely adhering to FDA and CDC cleaning and disinfecting protocols.