Blood donors needed as shortage continues

METRO DETROIT — On Oct. 4, the American Red Cross issued a news release stating there is a national blood shortage, and donors are urgently needed.

According to Red Cross officials, in order for the blood supply to recover, the nonprofit organization must collect 10,000 additional blood products each week over the next month to meet the needs of hospitals and patients in Michigan and across the country.

Barry Siegfried, M.D., medical director of the Red Cross Michigan Region, said donors of all blood types are urgently needed, especially platelet donors and Type O blood donors.

“When blood and platelet supplies drop to critical levels, it makes hospitals and their patients vulnerable, especially if there is a major accident or an emergency medical procedure that requires large quantities of blood,” Siegfried said in a prepared statement. “We’re asking donors across Michigan to help us keep hospital shelves stocked with blood products and help ensure patients have access to the timely care they deserve.”

To encourage members of the public to donate blood, incentives are being offered. Those who donate by Oct. 20 will receive a $15 Amazon.com gift card by email. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.

Donors who give blood between Oct. 21 and Nov. 9 will receive a $10 e-gift card to a restaurant merchant of their choice. They also will be entered to win a $5,000 gift card in which three winners will be chosen. For more information, visit RedCrossBlood.org/lunch.

The Red Cross offers three ways to make an appointment to donate. Donors can download the Red Cross blood donor app on their cellphones, apply at RedCrossBlood.org, or call 800-RED CROSS, which in numeral form is 800-733-2767.

According to the news release, the Red Cross national blood supply dropped by approximately 25% “on the heels of one of the busiest travel seasons and the beginning of back-to-school activities.”

Another challenge for the Red Cross is that since many employees continue to work from home or in a hybrid capacity since the COVID-19 pandemic, that reduces the number of opportunities to give blood at business-sponsored blood drives.

“These factors, coupled with an active disaster season, are creating a perfect ‘storm’ and challenging the organization’s ability to collect a sufficient amount of blood products to meet the needs of hospitals and patients,” the news release states.

There are eligibility requirements to donate blood. Donors must be at least 16 years old in most states, must be in good health and feeling well, and must weigh at least 110 pounds.  Blood can be donated every 56 days.

The donated blood is used in a variety of ways, including for accident and burn victims, and for trauma, heart surgery, organ transplant and cancer patients. Patients with chronic diseases also receive blood when needed.