Emergency blood shortage: Red Cross supply drops 25%
Donors urged to give as
extreme heat, travel plans threaten already low blood levels
$20 Amazon.com Gift Card
by email for coming to give in August
SPRINGFIELD, MO (August 5, 2024) — The American Red Cross
is experiencing an emergency blood shortage as the nation faces dangerous
levels of heat and people head out for final summer travel plans. Since July 1,
the Red Cross national blood supply has fallen by more than 25%, and blood
donors of all types, especially those with type O blood, are urged to give as
soon as possible to help patients receive lifesaving medical care.
Heat
impacted almost 100 blood drives in July in nearly every state where the Red
Cross collects blood – compounding other seasonal obstacles to blood donation,
such as travel and summer activities. Together these factors contributed to a
shortfall of more than 19,000 blood donations in July. At the same time,
hospital demand for blood products remains strong. Blood products are being sent to hospitals faster than
donations are coming in. Right now, type O inventory is so low, distributions
of this vital blood type are reduced below what hospitals count on.
“It’s
critical hospitals have both type O positive and O negative blood ready to go
for patients in the most life-threatening situations,” said Dr. Eric Gehrie,
executive physician director for the Red Cross. “Type O is especially important
for victims of accidents and other trauma who are receiving emergency
treatment. Now is the time for donors of all blood types to give and ensure
hospital shelves can be restocked before any impact to patient care.”
The Red Cross is working
with hospitals around-the-clock to meet the blood needs of patients – but can’t
do it alone. To make an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App,
visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
As
a thank-you, those who come give blood, platelets or plasma Aug. 1-31, 2024,
will get a $20 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Help.
Upcoming blood donation
opportunities Aug. 5-31:
Vernon
Deerfield
8/23/2024: 11 a.m. - 4
p.m., Archer Daniels Midland-Front office admin Bldg., 17700 South Highway T
Nevada
8/14/2024: 10 a.m.
- 3 p.m., First Baptist Church, 301 East Highland Avenue
8/15/2024: 1 p.m.
- 6 p.m., First Baptist Church, 301 East Highland Avenue
8/16/2024: 9 a.m.
- 2 p.m., First Baptist Church, 301 East Highland Avenue
