The national blood storage has reached an all-time low due to January’s winter storm, leaving Conway hospitals scrambling for critical supplies.
Emergency blood drives and campus-led donation efforts have emerged to stabilize local reserves.
Out Blood Institute, the sole blood provider for the Conway area, reported significant losses during the week-long winter weather disruption that shut down much of the state.
“Due to the inclement weather, we have lost over 2,000 units,” Kryschen Summons, a representative with Our Blood Institute, said. “We have so many patients that need blood and most people don’t realize it.”
Summon said blood donations are essential for patients managing chronic illness, recovering from trauma or undergoing routine medical care.
“We encourage everyone to donate as much as you can,” Summons said. “Blood has an expiration date and there are patients who are in desperate need of it.”
Local efforts expanded when the UCA’s Nursing Student Association partnered with Our Blood Institute to host a campus blood drive on Friday at the Integrated Health Sciences Building.
“The nursing program has been very helpful throwing this on in an emergency time right now,” Summons said.
All donors received a free t-shirt, snacks and drinks in appreciation for participating.
In addition to contributing to the local blood supply, the campus blood drive also supports a former UCA student, Kane Griffin, who is battling leukemia.
“We scheduled a blood drive today to hopefully help Kane Griffin and his family,” said Kendall Carter, a UCA nursing student who led the organization for the blood drive. “We set up a credit-to-patient program so anybody who mentions his name will support his family and also help supply blood to all the local hospitals in Conway.”
The initiative drew attention across campus, with students coming together in support of Griffin and his family, while also providing support to the broader Conway community.
Carter highlighted how one action can have a life-saving impact for multiple patients.
“One person can save up to three lives,” she said. “Different illnesses, cancers or traumatic accidents all need blood products. Even if you go to the hospital for something small, you might need a blood product.”
The emergency drive exceeded expectations, collecting donations from 18 donors against an initial goal of 12. Donation totals from the campus drive were still being finalized at the time of reporting.
For first time donor Rachel Hartwick, the experience changed her views on blood donation, turning an unfamiliar process into something personal.
“From the moment I walked in, they made me feel comfortable,” Hartwick said, “My mother had cancer, so I know how important this is for people. It feels good knowing that I may have saved someone’s life and I would definitely encourage others to donate if they can.”
As Conway hospitals work to recover from the shortage, organizers hope that residents view donation as an ongoing commitment rather than a one-time gesture, and that a simple action can ensure lifesaving care remains available for patients who depend on it every day.
