Stanford Blood Center says its reserves have dropped to a critical level, and seven Bay Area hospitals that depend on its supply could soon be forced to postpone surgeries if more donors do not roll up their sleeves. The crunch is hitting type‑O blood hardest as staff work to rebuild stock after a recent surge of high‑need patients. Local residents are being urged to book appointments at fixed centers or swing by mobile drives across the region.
Center issues urgent appeal
In a press release, the center quoted Michelle Bussenius, who explained that a handful of recent cases have taken a serious toll. "Recently we’ve had several patients, including a patient needing a liver transplant, that have drawn heavily on our type-O blood supply," she said, according to KTVU. The station notes that Stanford Blood Center supplies seven local hospitals and that only about four percent of eligible Bay Area residents actually donate, which leaves little cushion when demand suddenly spikes.
Broader shortages tightening supplies
Stanford’s tight inventory is colliding with a wider national squeeze. Earlier this year, the American Red Cross reported roughly a 35% drop in available blood products, making it harder for local centers to bring in extra units from outside the region when usage jumps, according to the American Red Cross.
How to give and where
Stanford operates several permanent donation centers plus a busy mobile schedule around the Bay Area and is asking eligible donors to plug into the system as soon as they can. Appointments can be made through the center’s online portal at sbcdonor.org, and full details on locations and hours are listed on the Stanford Blood Center site. Donors can also call (650) 723‑7831 to schedule by phone.
Donating locally today
Community drives are popping up across the Peninsula and East Bay. Burlingame’s event calendar, for example, lists a Spring Blood Drive on Friday, with the Stanford bus welcoming both drop‑ins and those who booked ahead. Residents are encouraged to check their city’s event listings or the online scheduling page for nearby drives and time slots. Many mobile locations post last‑minute openings for same‑day donations, which is good news for procrastinators.
Medical teams say every pint helps. One whole‑blood donation can treat up to three patients, according to Stanford Blood Center, and with only a small share of eligible donors currently giving, officials warn that steady turnout in the coming days will determine whether scheduled surgeries can move forward as planned. For local booking options and hourly updates, donors are urged to keep an eye on the center’s schedule and city event pages linked above.
