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The American Red Cross is currently facing an emergency blood shortage after its national blood inventory plummeted more than 25% in July. Record-setting heat has impacted many blood drive collections across the nation, compounded with donor vacations and summer activities that kept regular donors from contributing during July and August.
Meanwhile, hospital demand for lifesaving blood products has remained constant -- rapidly drawing down the blood supply. The Red Cross is working with hospitals around the clock to meet the blood needs of patients. However, due to the supply of type O blood being so low, the organization has had to reduce distributions of this vital blood type in recent weeks to below hospital comfort levels.
"Having type O blood products readily available is vital to providing timely and lifesaving care to patients in need," said Dr. Baia Lasky, division chief medical officer for the Red Cross. "In fact, for a patient suffering massive blood loss, like an individual in a car accident, group O is the most commonly transfused blood type. For trauma patients, each minute of delay can increase the chance of death by 5%. More than a quarter of all blood products each year are used in critical care and emergency room situations -- those transfusions are only available because of the generosity of blood and platelet donors."
Because of the blood supply shortages across the country, the American Red Cross is stressing the urgency for more blood donors to roll up their sleeves, to give blood, to help ensure that people will be able to receive blood when it's needed. All blood types are needed now, especially types O positive and O negative, as well as platelet donations, to help reverse this national blood shortage.
More individuals are needed to donate now to help patients counting on lifesaving blood following accidents, during surgeries and for treatment of conditions such as sickle cell disease and cancer.
Blood cannot be manufactured or stockpiled and can only be made available through the kindness of volunteer donors. It's the blood on the shelves now that helps during an emergency.
A blood donor card or driver's license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. First time donors or individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), who weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements. Donors are able to give blood every 56 days as long as they remain in good health.
Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.
Upcoming blood drives in our area include:
-- Wednesday, Sept. 18, from noon to 5:30 p.m., at the American Philatelic Society in Bellefonte.
-- Saturday, Sept. 21, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Faith United Methodist Church in Bellefonte.
-- Monday, Sept. 23, from 12:30-6 p.m., at the Milesburg Community Center.
For a listing of additional upcoming blood drives in our area or to make an appointment to give blood or platelets as soon as possible use the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
About the
American
Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org.