CHESAPEAKE, Va. — CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Research shows that trauma is the leading cause of death among those under 46 years old, and approximately 25 percent of trauma deaths are potentially survivable.
That is why the Tidewater Emergency Medical Services (TEMS) Council launched its program called the "Whole Blood Initiative."
The lifesaving program will provide whole blood to patients in need of transfusions at the scene of an incident, rather than waiting until the patient gets to the hospital.
The initiative started back in October 2022, with Virginia Beach being the first community to receive blood donations.
On Tuesday, April 18, the program became available to Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in Chesapeake. Now, TEMS is working towards making it a regional program that serves the entire Tidewater community.
David Long, the Executive Director of the TEMS Council says the program is getting positive feedback. He's been told that the Whole Blood Initiative has helped EMS manage quicker response services.
"For the everyday citizen, what we are seeing is that we are managing our trauma patients better. We are essentially incorporating and managing a process that helps treats patients [who] have been exposed to violence and have at least a chance to survive," said Long.
This program is also beneficial for paramedics by allowing them to help more people in the community.
James Reynolds, the Division Chief of EMS for the Chesapeake Fire Department, says this is a full-circle moment for him and his department.
"I have been a paramedic for almost thirty years, and I can think back on the last thirty years about patients we may have been able to save. And in the last two years, when I first got into this position, this is something I wanted — to provide blood for our community," said Long.
Tidewater EMS says efforts to expand the Whole Blood Initiative to communities across the Commonwealth will continue.
If you are interested in donating blood, there is an upcoming blood drive happening at the Norfolk Police Department on May 10.
For more information, visit the TEMS website by clicking here.
