The nation’s blood supply is down 25%: How you can help

The nation’s blood supply has been down 25% since early August. The Tennessee valley specifically is down about 18% from this time last year.

Julia Wright, the American Red Cross of Southeast Tennessee’s Executive Director, said the Red Cross provides about 40% of the nation’s blood supply.

“So it’s really important that we have a very robust blood program that can weather through disasters in different situations where blood draws do get canceled,” Wright said.

Hurricane Idalia further strained the current blood supply because of blood drive cancellations and the reduced number of blood and platelet collections.

Wright said, “That disaster canceled a lot of blood drives in the area in a time that we’re already experiencing a lower than normal donation rate.”

Wright said times like these are critical to get the word out about the donation shortage.

“To make sure that we can provide the hospitals the blood they need this fall,” Wright said. “We’re really counting on the generosity of the public to help us recover about 30,000 blood and platelet donation shortfall that we experienced in August.”

Wright said there are a few reasons why there has been a decrease in blood donations including a busy summer travel season, back to school activities, and an active natural disaster season.

“Those are some of the compounding factors that have caused us to have a decrease in blood donations,” Wright said.

To help with the blood shortage the red cross invites you to have your school or company host a blood drive, or you can individually sign up for a red cross chapter drive.

Donated blood can be used by families going through cancer treatment, people who undergo surgery, those with sickle cell disease, and a number of other reasons.

“Don’t be afraid it’s an easy process, we’ll make you very comfortable,” Wright said. “We’d love for you to come out. You’ll have a really rewarding experience and know that you’ve probably saved a life by doing so.”