Red Cross Reporting 10,000 Additional Blood Products Needed Weekly to Help Shortage Recovery

OREGON – (Information from the American Red Cross – Cascades Region) The American Red Cross are continuing to report a major blood shortage heading into the fall season following a slow down in donations combined with a strain on the existing blood supply caused by natural disaster relief efforts. American Red Cross most recently issued the following release explaining the situation:

“The American Red Cross continues 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. The Red Cross offers three ways to make a donation appointment that can help save lives:

The Red Cross experienced a significant blood and platelet donation shortfall in August, contributing to the current blood and platelet shortage. To ensure the blood supply recovers, the Red Cross must collect 10,000 additional blood products each week over the next month to meet hospital and patient needs. 

“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 Dr. Baia Lasky, medical director for the Red Cross. “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.”  

Unique challenges to blood supply

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 business-sponsored blood drives. In fact, 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. 

The Red Cross provides community blood drives and donation centers across Oregon and SW Washington. Those who may have previously given at a local business blood drive 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).”

For those interested in donating, there are multiple local opportunities coming up in October and November:

Union County

• Thursday, October 19
  • La Grande High School
  • 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

• Wednesday, November 8
  • Eastern Oregon University, Hoke College Center
  • 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

• Tuesday, November 14
  • The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
  • 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

• Wednesday, November 15
  • The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
  • 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Baker County 

• Monday, November 6
  • The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints- Baker City
  • 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

• Tuesday, November 7
  • The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
  • 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.