The American Red Cross is seeking more individuals to donate blood and platelets this summer amid what the national nonprofit is calling an “emergency blood shortage.”
Last month, the national blood supply fell about 25%, according to the Red Cross, creating a growing gap between supply and patient need. At the same time, recent blood distributions by the Red Cross to hospitals are nearly 3,500 units higher per week than expected.
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“Summer always brings challenges for the blood supply but patients are still in the hospital, needing blood for critical medical care,” said Dr. Courtney Lawrence, division chief medical officer for the Red Cross, in a news release. “Without blood available, emergency rooms and maternity wards are paralyzed and patients with life threatening conditions or injuries may not get the treatments they need.”
This shortage is especially serious for types O positive and B negative blood, as well as AB plasma, however the Red Cross says all blood types are needed.
The nonprofit attributes the latest blood shortage to a variety of factors, mainly declining summer donations as a result of busy schedules, temporary illness and the seasonal loss of school blood drives during summer.
A recent Red Cross survey also revealed a significant gap between public perception and the reality of the nation’s blood supply, with less than 1 in 5 respondents realizing that blood can’t be stockpiled due to its limited shelf life.
Roughly half of those surveyed believed it was likely that they or someone they know would need blood one day, even though blood transfusions are administered in the U.S. every two seconds, according to the Red Cross.
Inspired to donate? Here’s how:
- Make an appointment: Potential donors can make an appointment by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org, or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS
- Check-in: Bring along a blood donor card or driver’s license, or two other forms of ID, which are required to check-in on the day of your appointment
- Ensure you meet the requirements: Individuals age 17 and older who weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate (16-year-olds also eligible in Michigan with a parent or guardian’s consent; students and other donors age 18 and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements)
Those who donate between July 13-31 will receive a free Fandango Movie Ticket via email (up to $15 ticket price and fees) as an incentive during the shortage.
For more information about the latest shortage and how to support the American Red Cross, visit redcross.org.