Blood
Blood donations down, Red Cross seeks donors to beat summer slump
Jul
- Blood flows from Russell Johnson, of Highland, as he donates blood at the American Red Cross Donation Center in Orem on Thursday, May 14, 2020.
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- Russell Johnson, of Highland, donates blood at the American Red Cross Donation Center in Orem on Thursday, May 14, 2020.
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- Red Cross Shark Week ends Monday July 31. Courtesy Red Cross.
Isaac Hale, Daily Herald file photo
Blood flows from Russell Johnson, of Highland, as he donates blood at the American Red Cross Donation Center in Orem on Thursday, May 14, 2020.
Red Cross services across the country are in need of blood donations as supply has dropped and a summer slump slowed the rate of donations.
“We are having trouble making our goals in Utah,” said Keith Paul, communications director. “This summer has been worse than in the recent past. One car accident could deplete a hospital’s blood supply.”
The shortage could mean potentially dire consequences for patients and has caused the American Red Cross of Utah to make public pleas for help.
“Nationwide, we have experienced a shortfall of more than 50,000 donations over the past two months,” said Heidi Ruster, CEO of the American Red Cross Utah/Nevada Region in a press release. “Although we often see a dip in donations during the summer, this year’s decline has been one of the larger ones in recent summers. Blood donations are a lifeline for patients in need, and the current shortage is a cause for concern.”
The Red Cross provides about 40% of blood collected locally and across the country. In the release, Ruster said the Red Cross needs to collect 12,500 blood and 3,000 platelet donations every day to meet current demands. Specifically, there’s an urgent need for type O negative, type O positive, and type B negative blood donation.
Isaac Hale, Daily Herald file photo
Russell Johnson, of Highland, donates blood at the American Red Cross Donation Center in Orem on Thursday, May 14, 2020.
According to Walter Kelley, medical director for the Rocky Mountain Division of the American Red Cross, Type O blood is most frequently used in hospitals — as a universal donor — while B negative is one of the rarest blood types.
Blood donated in Utah County could be used at one of the area’s hospitals, but it could just as easily be used across the country. Donors can track online where their blood is used.
Plasma donations are also accepted with donors receiving payment in exchange for the plasma. It is not transfusable, though, and is used in studies and other research according to Paul.
“The only way to obtain transfusable blood is through donations,” Kelley said. “We rely on the generosity of others to give blood so that it’s available when needed. Despite 62% of the population being eligible to donate, only about 3% does.”
Donors can make an appointment using the Red Cross Blood Donor app or through the group’s website. In an effort to encourage donations, Red Cross is providing a number of summer incentives. Earlier in the year the organization offered t-shirts for donations showing the “Peanuts” character Snoopy, reading “Be cool. Give blood.”
Red Cross Shark Week ends Monday July 31. Courtesy Red Cross.
Anyone who donates through Monday can receive a specialty shark-themed shirt while August donors are given a $10 e-gift card to a movie theater of choice.
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