NEW JERSEY — The American Red Cross is urging people to donate blood and platelets as a sharp decline in scheduled donations has put pressure on the nation’s blood supply heading into the busy summer months.
According to the Red Cross, scheduled donations account for about 90% of all blood donations but have dropped significantly in recent weeks. The organization said the national blood supply has fallen by several thousand units in just one week, raising concerns as trauma season approaches.
The period between Memorial Day and Labor Day typically sees an increase in severe injuries from motor vehicle crashes, ATV accidents, sports-related injuries and other summer activities that can increase demand for blood transfusions.
“For a person suffering from severe bleeding – and the emergency medical responders caring for them – stopping the bleeding and stabilizing them is a race against an unforgiving clock,” says Dr. Emily Coberly, medical director for the Red Cross. “Every minute matters. For each minute that passes without blood transfusion, the risk of death increases by 11% for patients suffering from hemorrhagic shock. That’s why having a readily available blood supply is critical.”
The Red Cross noted that a single person seriously injured in a car crash can require up to 100 units of blood. The organization also cited data from AAA showing fatal crashes involving teen drivers increase by about 30% during the summer months.
Officials said maintaining an adequate blood supply can be challenging during the summer due to school breaks, vacations, severe weather and extreme heat, which can disrupt blood drives and reduce donor turnout.
The Red Cross is encouraging donors of all blood types to schedule appointments in the coming weeks to help ensure blood products remain available for trauma patients, surgery patients, new mothers and people living with chronic illnesses.
“Every unit of lifesaving blood on an ambulance, emergency medical helicopter or in a hospital didn’t get there by accident. It’s there because someone rolled up their sleeve to give blood,” adds Coberly.
As an incentive, the Red Cross said donors who give blood or platelets through June 28 will receive a $15 electronic gift card to a merchant of their choice and will be automatically entered into a drawing for one of two $7,500 gift cards.
Appointments can be scheduled through the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS.
Individuals who are generally in good health, meet minimum age requirements and weigh at least 110 pounds may be eligible to donate, according to the organization.
