Red Cross Urges Blood Donations as Summer Shortages Threaten Supply

As summer vacations, holiday celebrations and extreme heat reduce donor turnout, the American Red Cross is urging people to donate blood before seasonal shortages become more severe.

Lori Chapman of the Red Cross said the organization is seeing low blood inventories nationwide at a time when demand remains constant.

“Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood,” Chapman said. “Blood is the one thing that cannot be manufactured and it has to come from our donors.”

The Red Cross supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood. Chapman said approximately 29,000 units of red blood cells are needed each day in the United States for trauma patients, cancer treatments, sickle cell disease and other medical needs. The average red blood cell transfusion requires three units of blood, while each donor gives one unit.

Summer has traditionally been one of the most difficult times to maintain an adequate blood supply, Chapman said, as vacations, school breaks and increased outdoor activities reduce donor participation. At the same time, summer travel can contribute to more traumatic injuries requiring blood transfusions.

“Our inventory is low,” Chapman said. “We also have one of the lowest levels of donor turnout in a very long time.”

Chapman said extreme heat can further complicate donation efforts. High temperatures can lead to air conditioning problems at collection sites, discourage donors from making appointments and leave potential donors dehydrated, making them ineligible to donate when they arrive.

Before donating, Chapman recommends drinking plenty of water, eating a healthy meal and consuming iron-rich foods.

The donation process typically takes 30 to 45 minutes, including a brief health history screening, the blood donation and a 15-minute recovery period with refreshments.

While all blood types are needed, Chapman said Type O blood is requested most frequently by hospitals.

To encourage donations this summer, everyone who donates blood between June 29 and July 12 will receive a limited-edition American Red Cross and Looney Tunes commemorative T-shirt celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.

Chapman said most healthy people are eligible to donate. In New York, donors can give blood at age 16 with parental consent or at age 17 without consent. Donors must weigh at least 110 pounds and be in generally good health.

Appointments can be made through the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, by calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by visiting RedCrossBlood.org.

Several blood drives are scheduled throughout the region this week, including locations in Port Jervis, Middletown, Delhi, Warwick and Dickson City, Pennsylvania.

Image Credit: American Red Cross