American Red Cross declares emergency blood shortage as number of donors hits 20-year low
(CNN) — The United States is facing an emergency blood shortage, according to the American Red Cross, and there is growing concern that a combination of severe winter weather and seasonal respiratory illnesses could lead more people to cancel their donations and that the shortage may delay medical procedures.
The number of people volunteering to donate blood is at the lowest level in 20 years, and over the past two decades, the number who donate through the Red Cross has fallen about 40%, the nonprofit announced Sunday.
Now, there does not appear to be enough donated blood to meet demand among hospitals and patients in need. Data from the national organization America’s Blood Centers indicates that, as of Monday, at least 17 community blood centers have a one-day supply or less, “critically” low supply that suggests they need donations as soon as possible.
“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,” Dr. Pampee Young, chief medical officer of the Red Cross, the nation’s largest blood supplier, said in the announcement. “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.”
In the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day, there was a donation shortfall of nearly 7,000 units, according to the Red Cross.
“Now, getting out of the holidays and looking at what hospital demand is starting to look like, we can see that we need about 8,000 additional donations every week in January in order to shore up supply,” Dr. Eric Gehrie, executive physician director for the Red Cross, said Monday.
One unit of blood, equivalent to about a pint, is typically collected during a donation, and experts estimate that a single car accident victim can require as many as 100 units of blood.
“We hear all the time about really dramatic things that happen in hospitals – of women after childbirth who have substantial unexpected bleeding and who might require dozens or even hundreds of units of blood to survive, and then they do survive because the blood is available. Same thing for people who are in accidents or who require really complicated surgery that’s associated with a lot of blood loss,” Gehrie said. “When that blood isn’t available, it really diminishes the ability to offer that to somebody who’s in need.”
The American Red Cross announced a national shortage of blood and called for more donations in September, and blood inventory rebounded afterward.
However, the supply has fallen yet again “to critically low levels across the country,” according to the Red Cross, and in recent weeks, the organization has had to limit distributions of type O blood products – among the most transfused blood types – to hospitals.
“When the Red Cross is trying to determine how much blood is needed to supply hospitals, it takes into account seasonal changes – and there certainly are a lot of seasonal changes that occur around the holidays,” Gehrie said. “One thing that is very different this time around is that hospital demand, even in the lower-utilization holiday period, has been greater than it has been in previous years. And the lower donations, as a result of the seasonal figure, combined with the unexpectedly higher demand from hospitals, is what’s really contributing to the emergency that we have presently.”
The Red Cross is now calling on health care professionals and members of the public to donate blood to help the nation’s supply bounce back.
The two types of blood products that are most frequently in need are platelets and red blood cells, according to Gehrie.
“The need for platelets is constant because they only last for five days after donation. As a result of that, it’s not really possible to build up a big inventory to draw from in the future because that inventory would just expire in a few days, and so the only thing that sustains the platelet supply are dedicated donors,” he said. “With red blood cells, the situation is a little bit different. Red blood cells can last for up to 42 days after being collected.”
In August, the Red Cross announced that more gay men were eligible to give blood with the use of a more inclusive risk-based individual assessment to determine whether someone is eligible to give blood, regardless of sexual orientation, sex or gender. Historically, gay and bisexual men were banned from donating.
Volunteers can make appointments to give blood or platelets at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS. This month, the Red Cross and the National Football League are partnering to offer volunteers a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVII in Las Vegas. Donors will be automatically entered for the chance to win.
Volunteers can also find blood donation centers in their area using the Blood Donation Site Locator on the Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies’ website.
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Red Cross: Emergency blood shortage may delay medical procedures (Photo)
American Red Cross – Cascades Region – 01/08/24 10:29 AM
Donors urged to give now as nation faces lowest number of blood donors in decades
Donors have the chance to help save lives, win trip to Super Bowl LVIII
Portland, OR (Jan. 8, 2024) — The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage as the nation faces the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years. The Red Cross blood supply has fallen to critically low levels across the country, and blood and platelet donors are urged to make a donation appointment to help alleviate the shortage and help ensure lifesaving medical procedures are not put on hold.
Over the last 20 years, the number of people donating blood to the Red Cross has fallen by about 40%. When fewer people donate blood, even small disruptions to blood donations – such as the nearly 7,000-unit shortfall in blood donations the Red Cross experienced between Christmas and New Year’s Day alone – can have a huge impact on the availability of blood products and dramatic consequences for those in need of emergency blood transfusion. Blood products are currently going to hospitals faster than blood donations are coming in, and in recent weeks, the Red Cross has had to limit distributions of type O blood products – among the most transfused blood types – to hospitals.
“Small changes in blood donor turnout can have a huge impact on the availability of blood products and dramatic consequences for those in need of an emergency blood transfusion,” said Dr. Eric Gehrie, executive physician director for the Red Cross. “More challenges may lie ahead as the potential for severe winter weather and seasonal illness may compound the dire blood supply situation. Donors of all types – especially those with type O blood and those giving platelets – are urged to give now.”
Don’t wait – to make an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
The Red Cross and the National Football League (NFL) are partnering this January, during National Blood Donor Month, to urge individuals to give blood or platelets and help tackle the emergency blood shortage. Those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma in January will automatically be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Super Bowl.
Who donations help
Sandy Thornton, of Dallas, Oregon, knows firsthand how important a readily available blood and platelet supply is. Sandy battled a rare form of cancer called Myelodysplastic Syndrome and Myleo Fibrosis. She received numerous blood and platelet transfusions until eventually needing a stem cell transplant.
“There are people who cannot get a stem cell transplant, which means they face a lifetime of platelet or blood transfusions. That’s their life. Blood is a lifesaver no matter how you look at it. It’s not just about when disasters happen, it’s when people get sick,” shares Sandy.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Jan. 8-31:
January 8
The Grotto, 8840 NE Skidmore Street, Portland, OR, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Safeway, 13434 Colton Place, Oregon City, OR, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Sunset Presbyterian Church, 14986 NW Cornell Rd., Portland, OR, 1:30 PM – 7:00 PM
January 9
CBRE 3 Centerpointe, 3 Centerpointe Drive, Lake Oswego, OR, 9:00 AM – 02:00 PM
Elks Lodge 142, 13121 SE McLoughlin Blvd., Milwaukie, OR, 12:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Blood Donation Center, 3131 N Vancouver Ave., Portland, OR, 12:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Blood Donor Center, 832 NE 223rd Ave., Wood Village, OR, 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Blood Donation Center, 5109 NE 82nd Ave., Vancouver, WA, 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Kidsports, 2054 Amazon Pkwy, Eugene, OR, 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Cascade Disposal Advanced Systems, 1300 SE Wilson Ave., Bend, OR, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
January 10
Habitat for Humanity ReStore, 13475 SW Millikan Way, Beaverton, OR, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Oregon Opportunities, 548 Business Park Dr., Medford, OR, 12:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Kruse Oaks Conference Space, 5300 SW Meadows Rd., Suite # 180 & 190, Lake Oswego, OR, 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM
Blood Donation Center, 815 SW Bond Street Suite 110, Bend, OR, 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
The Grotto, 8840 NE Skidmore St., Portland, OR, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
January 13
West Linn Lutheran Church, 20390 Willamette Dr., West Linn, OR, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Tektronix Fitness Center, 14053 SW Karl Braun Dr., Beaverton, OR, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Lloyd Center Mall, 2201 Lloyd Center, Portland, OR, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
January 15
Rise Church, 10445 SW Canterbury Ln., Portland, OR, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Sherwood Family YMCA, 23000 SW Pacific Hwy., Sherwood, OR, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Von Ebert Brewery – Timberland Town Center, 11800 NW Cedar Falls Dr., Portland, OR, 11:30 AM – 5:30 PM
January 18
Lincoln Center, 10260 SW Greenburg Rd., Tigard, OR, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
OR Dept of Treasury Division, 16290 SW Upper Boones Ferry Rd., Tigard, OR, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
RE/MAX Equity Group Beaverton, 9790 SW Nimbus Ave., Beaverton, OR, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
St. Mary Catholic Church, 1062 Charnelton St., Eugene, OR, 10:30 AM – 3:30 PM
St Charles Medical Center Bend, 2500 NE Neff Rd., Bend, OR, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
January 22
Beaverton Foursquare Church, 13445 SW Walker Rd., Beaverton, OR, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Mountain View High School, 1500 SE Blairmont, Vancouver, WA, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1155 Presidents St., Eugene, OR, 12:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Holiday Inn Express, 2117 Franklin Blvd., Eugene, OR, 10:30 AM – 3:30 PM
RRMC-Smullin Center, 2825 East Barnett Rd., Medford, OR, 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Blood Donation Center, 815 SW Bond Street Suite 110, Bend, OR, 11:00 AM – 07:00 PM
January 23
St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 3228 SW Sunset Blvd., Portland, OR, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
VA Medical Center, 3710 SW US Veterans Hospital Rd., Portland, OR, 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Fred Meyer, Inc., 3800 SE 22nd Ave., Portland, OR, 8:00 AM – 1:30 PM
PBS Engineering and Environmental, 1325 SE Tech Center Dr. Suite 140, Vancouver, WA, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
January 24
Tualatin Presbyterian Church, 9230 SW Siletz Dr., Tualatin, OR, 12:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Fred Meyer, Inc., 3800 SE 22nd Ave., Portland, OR, 8:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Ananda Church, 4855 SW Watson Ave., Beaverton, OR, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Valley River Center, 293 Valley River Center, Eugene, OR, 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Blood Donation Center, 1174 Progress Drive Suite 102, Medford, OR, 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
January 29
US Digital Vancouver, 1400 NE 136th Ave., Vancouver, WA, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Wood Village Blood Donor Center, 832 NE 223rd Ave., Wood Village, OR, 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
City of Bend Police Department, 555 NE 15th St., Bend, OR, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
January 30
EVEN Hotel, 2133 Centennial Plaza, Eugene, OR, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
January 31
Addictions Recovery Center Building, 1003 E Main St. Building C, Medford, OR, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Rogue Credit Union, 1370 Center Dr., Medford, OR 97504, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
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 and is the primary blood supplier to 65 hospitals throughout Washington and Oregon; 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 or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
