Faced with a severe shortage of blood due to widespread cancellations of blood drives, Blood Assurance held a two-day event last week outside Three Star Mall.

With a colorful Blood Assurance bus gaining attention in the parking lot, donors lined up to offer the gift of life.

“There’s a nationwide shortage and three people can be helped by one blood donation,” said volunteer Annie Moffitt. “The turnout has been really good. It’s been steady. The mall promoted this well and people have responded.”

Blood Assurance representative Dave Stovall was on site and said the need for blood was increased by the tornadoes which ravaged Tennessee on March 3.

“With all the injuries from the tornadoes, it really depleted our supply,” said Stovall.

Combined with blood drive cancellations due to coronavirus concerns, it’s been a double whammy for the state’s blood supply.

Ashley Kiefer was one of the many local residents who showed up to give blood on Friday.

“I enjoy it, especially now that there’s such a need,” said Kiefer. “This is probably my eighth or ninth time giving.” 

In issuing a call for more donations, the Red Cross said more than 4,500 of its blood drives have been canceled across the country amid COVID-19 concerns. The Red Cross said that translates to about 150,000 fewer blood donations nationwide.

Concerns about the available blood supply are only going to intensify in coming weeks as more employees are encouraged to work from home and schools continue to be closed.

“We are expecting cancellations to continue to increase,” said Joel Sullivan, regional executive for the American Red Cross of Tennessee. “This is causing much concern for blood collection organizations, like the Red Cross, as well as hospitals across the country.”