Imagine needing a blood transfusion this holiday season, and the shelves are empty. Due to historically low blood donations during the holiday season, some Lowcountry patients are facing that situation. MUSC’s blood bank staff hopes more donors will give the gift of life this year.

“It’s awful,” said Margaret Murphy, manager, Transfusion Medicine/HLA. “When we are in an emergency blood shortage, every order has to be screened. Doctors and nurses must explain their patient’s situation, then we rank the severity of illness to see who gets the available blood.”

When residents don’t donate enough blood, the American Red Cross, southeast region, must call other regions for extra pints of blood. Unfortunately, the situation is repeated all across the country: people are too busy shopping, spending time with families and vacationing to donate blood. Last December alone, patients in Charleston and Myrtle Beach hospitals used 1569 more pints of blood than were donated.

Murphy urges MUSC employees to remember the patients who will need blood this holiday season. They will appreciate your donation more than any other gift you could buy. “Since MUSC uses more blood than any other hospital in our region, employees should make the extra effort to donate,” said Murphy.

Employees can donate blood at one of the following drives, MUSC Horseshoe on Thursday, Jan. 8 from noon to 5 p.m. and Friday, Jan 9 from 7 a.m. to noon, or call the American Red Cross at 852-2910. .