Photo: Garet Cobb ~ USA TODAY NETWORK
Jan. 13, 2023, DETROIT ~ The American Red Cross, the nation’s largest blood supplier, is grappling with an emergency blood shortage.
For the first time in two decades, the organization is witnessing a dramatic decline in blood and platelet donations, raising concerns about the ability for America‘s hospitals to provide needed lifesaving medical procedures.
Dr. Pampee Young, chief medical officer of the American Red Cross, expressed the gravity of the situation: “A person needs lifesaving blood every two seconds in our country, and its availability can be the difference between life and death.”
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Severe winter weather has forced about 150 Red Cross blood drives to close, impacting our ability to collect nearly 4,500 lifesaving blood and platelet donations amid an emergency blood shortage.
Help ensure hospitals have sufficient supplies. If you live in an unaffected area,… pic.twitter.com/WXGPCEgoGQ— American Red Cross (@RedCross) January 12, 2024
(CONTINUED) Several factors have contributed to this crisis. Over the past two decades, the Red Cross has seen a 40% decline in blood donors. The recent pandemic further exacerbated the situation, as remote work made it challenging to organize convenient blood drives. Additionally, eligibility changes and shifts in blood transfusion protocols have impacted donor participation.
As winter weather and seasonal illnesses loom, the Red Cross urgently appeals to the public: “don’t wait. Make an appointment today to donate blood or platelets. The availability of these vital resources rests on the generosity of those who roll up their sleeves to give. Together, we can ensure that patients receive the care they desperately need.”
Lean more and schedule an appointment by visiting RedCrossBlood.org.
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