Red Cross urgently seeks blood donations due to emergency shortage
OAN’s Elizabeth Volberding
1:20 PM – Monday, January 8, 2024
The American Red Cross is facing an emergency blood shortage and is calling on citizens to donate.
On Monday, the Red Cross declared in a press release that it is facing an emergency blood shortage, with the lowest number of people giving blood in the past 20 years.
The nonprofit organization, which gathers and distributes approximately 40% of all blood donations in the United States, is unable to provide enough blood to certain hospitals in need.
This shortage could lead to patients receiving insufficient blood or hospitals struggling to find compatible donors for patients with rare blood types.
Hospitals are currently in need of blood products, including whole blood, red blood cells, plasma, and platelets, at a faster rate than donations are being received.
“One of the most distressing situations for a doctor is to have a hospital full of patients and an empty refrigerator without any blood products,” said Dr. Pampee Young, chief medical officer of the Red Cross. “A person needs lifesaving blood every two seconds in our country — and its availability can be the difference between life and death, however, blood is only available thanks to the generosity of those who roll up a sleeve to donate.”
As a result, the Red Cross has had to limit the distribution of some of the most commonly transfused blood types to hospitals.
Dr. Eric Gehrie, medical director of the American Red Cross, explained that hospitals without fully stocked blood banks may have to postpone procedures, delay transfusions for patients in need, and face challenges in finding compatible donors for patients with rare blood types.
“There is more need for blood at hospitals than we are able to provide at current donation levels and this is an issue that is really … a long-term problem,” Gehrie told the press.
Gehrie also mentioned that since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in January 2020, there has been a significant decrease in blood donors, with a drop of 300,000.
“To put the numbers in perspective, we need an additional 8,000 donations every week in January in order to meet current hospital needs,” he said.
Gehrie stated that there are several possible factors contributing to the decline in blood donations over the past few years. He noted that the pandemic has made it difficult to host blood drives, as many people have been staying at home.
“In the past, the American Red Cross worked with a lot of businesses and schools who would host blood drives on site and where it was possible for a lot of people to donate blood,” Gehrie stated. “As the way that we learn and work has changed, it’s been harder and harder to attract as many donors to an employer or school-related blood drive.”
He added that some potential donors are sometimes rejected due to factors such as iron levels, hemoglobin levels, or travel restrictions, and they may not realize they have the opportunity to donate at a later time.
Only 3% of age-eligible individuals, or about 6.8 million Americans, donate blood each year, according to the Red Cross.
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How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the ability to organize blood drives and attract donors?
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Despite the challenges faced, the Red Cross is determined to address this critical situation and is urging individuals to step forward and donate blood.
Donors of all blood types are desperately needed to help patients who rely on lifesaving blood for various medical procedures and treatments, including surgeries, accidents, and ongoing conditions.
According to the Red Cross, every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. Without a sufficient blood supply, lives are at risk, and medical professionals face the difficult task of prioritizing patients based on available resources.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the blood shortage issue, with blood drives becoming increasingly challenging to organize due to social distancing measures and reluctance from potential donors to leave their homes.
The Red Cross previously relied on partnerships with businesses and schools to host blood drives, but with the shift to remote work and online learning, participation has declined.
Furthermore, some individuals who are eligible to donate may be unaware of the opportunity or face temporary disqualification due to factors such as low iron levels or hemoglobin levels.
In order to meet the current demands, the Red Cross estimates that an additional 8,000 donations are needed every week in January alone.
To address this critical situation, the Red Cross has implemented several measures. They have prioritized the distribution of blood products to hospitals in need and are actively exploring alternative methods for blood collection, including mobile blood drives and digital platforms.
Additionally, the Red Cross is working to raise awareness and educate the public about the importance of blood donation. They are emphasizing that donating blood is a safe and vital act that can save lives.
If you are eligible and able to donate blood, please consider doing so. Your donation could make a significant difference in someone’s life and help alleviate the current blood shortage crisis.
To find a blood drive near you or learn more about the donation process, visit the Red Cross website or call their toll-free number.
Remember, donating blood is a noble act that has the power to save lives. Together, we can ensure a sufficient and reliable blood supply for those in need.
References:
- https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/press-release/2024/red-cross-declares-emergency-blood-shortage-calls-for-donations-during-national-blood-donor-month.html
- https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/how-blood-donations-help/blood-needs-blood-supply.html#:~:text=Each%20year%2C%20an%20estimated%206.8,the%20U.S.%20in%20a%20year.
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