Red Cross reduces hospital blood supply in slow donation period
The American Red Cross saw a 25% decrease in blood donations since July 1, leading the agency to reduce the amount of Type O blood supplied to hospitals.
Nicole Roschella, regional communications director for American Red Cross, said Monday, Aug. 5, that the Red Cross now has a shortfall of about 19,000 units of blood. Type O blood is the universal donor, meaning a Type O donation can be transfused into a person with any blood type.
“The donations we’re receiving and collecting are not keeping up,” Roschella said. “That’s the worst-case scenario of a blood shortage is we get to the point where it impacts patient care.”
According to Roschella, blood shortages seem to arise the most in the summer, when there are fewer blood drives and vacations keep people away from the ones that do take place.
Like Vitalant, another blood supplier, Red Cross has turned to rewarding people who donate blood, in part by offering gift cards to people who donate throughout August.
During the week of July 4, Vitalant’s national blood supply hit an 18-month low, causing an emergency shortage of donated blood across the nation. The agency hosted a blood drive at St. Faustina Parish on Thursday, Aug. 8.
Roschella said it is important that blood banks get a constant flow of donations, because blood can only be stored for 42 days. People can donate blood every 56 days, but Roschella said people may not get to as many blood drives in the warm months.
“Blood can’t be stockpiled — we can’t wait until we’re in a shortage and get it,” she said. “In Pennsylvania, it has been extremely hot, and that can affect places where we host blood drives. If they're not able to keep the room at a cold enough temp, that can impact our ability to collect blood at that building.”
While blood donations are always needed, Roschella said the Red Cross is also always in the market for new blood drive hosts. She said people can apply to host a blood drive by visiting redcross.org.
“We’re always looking for blood drive hosts,” Roschella said. “People are looking for ways to get involved in their community, and what better way to do that than by giving an hour of your time to give.”
To find blood drives through the Red Cross, visit redcross.org/give-blood. For blood drives for Vitalant, visit vitalant.org.
