Man struggles to get much needed blood transfusions as Lee Health faces shortage

LEE COUNTY, Fla. – William Alexander was recently diagnosed with bone marrow disease — an illness which has left him dependent on blood and platelet donations.

Alexander must receive blood and platelet transfusions multiple times a week, but a blood shortage across the Lee Health system has his wife Nicole urging the community to donate as soon as possible.

“There’s such a shortage that when the doctor orders him two units of blood, he cannot get two units because they have to ration it out,” Nicole said.

Now going onto his fourth round of chemotherapy, he goes in for transfusions three times a week.

“On average, we’re looking to hand out 800 units a week, so we need to collect well over that every week just to meet the need,” said Lee Health Blood Center Supervisor Jeremy Pluckett.

Nicole is urging people to consider donating blood to help people like her husband.

“I can assure you that I’m not the only one in this situation. Get out there and give everybody,” she said.

Lee Health holds daily blood drives across Southwest Florida. Anyone interested in donating blood or platelets to William specifically can donate at Cape Coral Hospital — just simply give the name “William Alexander.”

He can accept O-Negative or O-Positive blood and platelets from anyone.

The post Man struggles to get much needed blood transfusions as Lee Health faces shortage appeared first on NBC2 News.

NBC2 (WBBH-TV)