Bloodworks Northwest issued an urgent request for blood donors Monday after an Amtrak train derailed outside of Tacoma, Wash. onto a highway, according to The Olympian.
Nearly 80 people were injured in the accident and taken to local hospitals, which depleted community blood supplies.
"Bloodworks has issued more than 150 units of blood to respond to emergency orders from hospitals receiving people injured in the tragedy," James AuBuchon, MD, president and CEO of Bloodworks Northwest, told The Olympian.
Dr. AuBuchon said that supplies for certain blood types were at "critical levels," with just one- or two-day supplies. Normally, blood banks have a four-day supply of each blood type. There is a special need for O-type blood, AB plasma and platelets, although all donors are welcome.
"We need to replenish our supplies to meet the needs of injured people today and in the days ahead, as well as to meet normal needs," Dr. AuBuchon said, according to the report. "We're urging donors who have not donated recently to schedule an appointment as soon as they can at a donor center or mobile drive."
Donor centers will be open for extended hours for the remainder of December.