FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 14, 2024
SHERIFF’S OFFICE SUPPORTS COLORADO WHOLE BLOOD PROGRAM AND ENCOURAGES COMMUNITY TO DONATE BLOOD
GRAND COUNTY, CO – In support and enthusiasm of Grand County Emergency Medical Services (GCEMS) and the Colorado Whole Blood Coalition seeking to start a statewide prehospital whole blood program in Colorado, the Grand County Sheriff’s Office is encouraging the community to donate blood if they are able.
Scott Branney MD, Chairman of the Colorado Whole Blood Coalition stated, “We are seeking to start a statewide prehospital whole blood program in Colorado. This would be to treat patients in hemorrhagic shock of all kinds. Whole blood transfusion is very effective, with most studies showing a 50% reduction in mortality.” Dr. Branney added, “Implementing prehospital whole blood programs is the greatest change we have implemented in trauma care in my lifetime. We will have the ability to keep many of our sickest patients alive long enough to get them to trauma centers regardless of where their trauma occurs.”
GCEMS has been training and preparing to begin carrying whole blood for the last several months, and are prepared to deploy blood on paramedic units in the very near future. This will be a great addition to the care GCEMS provides and will help save lives in our very remote community.
GCEMS Chief Austin Wingate expressed, “Our Grand County community has a strong history of stepping up and helping one another in times of need. This opportunity to provide critical and life-saving support through blood donations is a vital way to make a difference in the lives of others.”
Donors can make an appointment to give blood through Vitalant’s Virtual Blood Drive program, which allows donors to give at a time and place that’s convenient for them. Pledge to give in honor of a local first responder at https://tinyurl.com/2anuzwnz. Using that link, donors will then be directed to make their appointment. Type O is especially needed, and is the most transfused blood type. O-negative is the universal blood type and is what emergency room personnel reach for when there is not time to determine a patient’s blood type.
Blood drives currently scheduled in Grand County with Vitalant include:
• Thursday, May 23, 2024
• Friday, May 24, 2024
• Monday, June 17, 2024
Donors can visit vitalant.org, download the Vitalant app or call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825) for more information.
“Bleeding is the primary cause of preventable death among trauma patients and studies are beginning to show that providing lifesaving blood as soon as possible after the trauma event, such as what the Colorado Whole Blood Coalition is trying to do by placing whole blood on EMS vehicles, can be life-changing,” said Vitalant Vice President of Clinical Services Dr. Kevin Land.
Those interested in learning more about the Colorado Whole Blood Coalition are encouraged to visit their website at coloradowholeblood.org.
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