Red Cross: Fight national blood and platelet shortage

WASHINGTON COUNTY — The American Red Cross is continuing to experience a national blood and platelet shortage and asks the public to book a time to give as soon as possible. Donors of all blood types are urgently needed, especially type O blood donors and those giving platelets.

According to the release, the country is facing unique challenges to blood supply right now. In late summer, the Red Cross national blood supply dropped by about 25% on the heels of one of the busiest travel seasons and the beginning of back-to-school activities. As people settle back into fall school and work routines, a unique challenge to the blood supply remains — many employees continue to work from home or in a hybrid capacity, reducing the number of opportunities to give blood at businesss-ponsored blood drives. In the release, Dr. Baia Lasky, medical director for the Red Cross, explained how donations help people in need.

“When blood and platelet supplies drop to critical levels, it makes hospitals and the patients they are treating vulnerable — especially if there is a major accident or emergency medical procedure that requires large quantities of blood during a disaster,” said Lasky in the release. “A single car accident victim can use as much as 100 units of blood. By making and keeping donation appointments, donors can help keep hospital shelves stocked with blood products and ensure patients have access to the timely care they deserve.”

The release said before the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 800,000 blood donations were made at blood drives hosted by businesses. Last year, the Red Cross saw only about 500,000 blood donations at these locations – a nearly 40% drop from pre-pandemic levels. This, coupled with an active disaster season, is creating a “perfect storm” and challenging the organization’s ability to collect a sufficient amount of blood products to meet the needs of hospitals across the country.

With these needs in mind, Washington County will be holding blood drives in the upcoming months to do their part to help end the shortage. Blood drive locations in Washington County include:

■ Germantown, Sept. 29: 1 p.m.-6 p.m., St Boniface Parish, W204-N11940 Goldendale Road

■ West Bend, Oct. 5: noon-5 p.m., American Legion Post 36, 712 Park Ave.

The Red Cross provides community blood drives and donation centers across Wisconsin. Residents are encouraged to book a time to give at one of these locations by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). As a thank-you, those who come to give Oct. 1-20, 2023, will receive a $15 Amazon. com Gift Card by email. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.

When giving blood, a blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.