Red Cross Facing Critical Blood Shortages
Written by WKTN Staff on July 9, 2019
COLUMBUS, Ohio (July 9, 2019) — Following a difficult Fourth of July week for blood and platelet donations and ongoing challenges finding new blood donors, the American Red Cross now faces a blood shortage and has issued an emergency call for eligible individuals of all blood types to give now and prevent delays in medical care.
About 450 fewer blood drives were organized by businesses and other community groups last week than during a typical week as people across the country celebrated the holiday with activities and travel. This led to about 17,000 fewer blood donations than needed for patients in a single week, causing the Red Cross to now have less than a three-day supply of most blood types available – and less than a two-day supply of type O blood – for patients. At least a five-day supply is desired.
“Medical emergencies and critical treatments don’t stop for holiday celebrations. Patients depend on lifesaving blood transfusions every day,” said Rodney Wilson, communications manager for Red Cross Central Ohio Blood Services. “Right now, the Red Cross only has less than a three-day supply when we need a five-day supply to be prepared for all situations that require blood products.”
To help meet this need, the Red Cross has added about 8,000 additional appointments at blood donation centers and community blood drives over the next few weeks to accommodate more donors.
Missing Types sees encouraging response, but all donors needed now
In June, the Red Cross launched the Missing Types campaign to encourage donors – especially new donors and those who have not donated in the past years – to give blood or platelets during the challenging summer months. Through the campaign, the letters A, B and O – letters that make up the main blood groups – disappeared from popular brands to symbolize what happens when blood goes missing from hospital shelves during blood shortages.
Despite an encouraging response to the campaign, blood donations still fell short of expectations in June, resulting in more than 24,000 fewer donations than needed and causing a significant draw down of the Red Cross blood supply.
“Blood is only available when generous blood and platelet donors roll up a sleeve to give, and right now, all donors – especially those who have never given or haven’t given in a while – are urged to make an appointment to give today,” Wilson added.
How to help:
Donors of all blood types, especially type O, are urged to make an appointment to donate using the Blood Donor App, at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire are encouraged to help reduce the time it takes to donate.
Those interested in hosting a blood drive can learn more and sign up to sponsor a drive this summer by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/HostADrive.
Who blood donations help:
Troy Stemen is a 17-year-old Central Ohio student with an upbeat attitude and love for sports and gaming. He’s also a survivor of high-risk acute lymphoma leukemia. During his treatment, he received 37 platelet and 10 red blood cell transfusions from generous Red Cross donors. “When a child goes through the whole cancer process, you don’t really know what to expect,” said Veronica Stemen, Troy’s mother. “Looking back now, after all the dust has settled, we realize that if we didn’t have blood or platelets that maybe Troy would not be with us today.”
Upcoming blood donation opportunities July 9-31:
Several blood drives are scheduled this month in Hardin County.
Four are in Kenton:
On July 17 from 1-6pm at the United Way office on South Detroit Street.
July 22 from noon until 6 at First Baptist Church County Road 175.
July 29 from 9am to 3pm at the Hardin County Courthouse Annex Building on Franklin Street.
Also on the 29 from noon until 6 at the Moose Lodge on West Lima Street.
A blood drive will be held in Ada on July 22 from 11:30am to 5:30pm at Visiting Nurses and Hospice on South Main Street.
