Red Cross Declares a National Blood Crisis
ZANESVILLE, OH – For only the second time in their history, the Red Cross has declared a national blood crisis.
The need for blood has grown more than the number of donations coming in, which is causing some patients to put infusions and treatments on hold for more emergent cases.
Don Hawkins, the Regional Communications Manager for the Red Cross Central and Southern Ohio Region, says thousands of more people came out the last time they asked for donors but not enough as we’ve now entered a four year low for blood donations.
“The big thing we’re seeing right now is we’re at a four year low for our summer blood supply, with that increased demand from our medical partners and it doesn’t matter how people have shown up, it’s not enough to meet that demand.” Hawkins said. “That is why we are in the crisis that we are in now, because we’re seeing the fact that medical partners might be in the position where they have to start deciding who’s going to get that blood, is that going to be saved for emergency needs that arise, is that being put aside for surgery that is preplanned, maybe a surgery is planned out and the doctors might be asking if we can delay this a few weeks until the blood supply is stronger.”
The biggest need is for Type O Blood, but all donors will be accepted. Hawkins says that the Fandango movie ticket incentive is still going until the end of July and a new incentive for donors will be kicking off in August.
If you sign up to donate blood from August 1st until the 31st, you will receive a $20 Amazon gift card in your email.
“We know that there are a lot of people that are eligible to donate blood but don’t do so, for whatever reason they might have.” Hawkins said. “I would ask people to think about that, if you’re not a regular blood donor, if you’ve never given blood before, check and see if you are eligible. Visit redcrossblood.org to see if your travels recently have made you ineligible, if you’re taking medications that make you ineligible, any of those things that could rule you out.”
To find out if you’re eligible to donate, you can head to redcrossblood.org.
