Donors urged to give now as nation faces lowest number of blood donors in decades

The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage as the nation faces the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years. The Red Cross blood supply has fallen to critically low levels across the country, and blood and platelet donors are urged to make a donation appointment to help alleviate the shortage and ensure lifesaving medical procedures are not put on hold.

Over the last 20 years, the number of people donating blood to the Red Cross has fallen by about 40%. When fewer people donate blood, even small disruptions to blood donations – such as the nearly 7,000-unit shortfall in blood donations the Red Cross experienced between Christmas and New Year’s Day alone – can have a huge impact on the availability of blood products and dramatic consequences for those in need of emergency blood transfusion. Blood products are currently going to hospitals faster than blood donations are coming in, and in recent weeks, the Red Cross has had to limit distributions of type O blood products – among the most transfused blood types – to hospitals.

“Small changes in blood donor turnout can have a huge impact on the availability of blood products and dramatic consequences for those in need of an emergency blood transfusion,” said Dr. Eric Gehrie, executive physician director for the Red Cross. “More challenges may lie ahead as the potential for severe winter weather and seasonal illness may compound the dire blood supply situation. Donors of all types – especially those with type O blood and those giving platelets – are urged to give now.”

Don’t wait – to make an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Local blood drives

According to redcrossblood.org, the following local blood drives are available: 

• Tuesday, Jan. 16, 12-6 p.m. at Glenwood Lutheran Church, 206 Minnesota Ave. E, Glenwood.

• Wednesday, Feb. 7, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Massman Automation Designs, LLC, 1010 E. Lake Street, Villard.

• Tuesday, March 5, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Minnewaska Area High School, 25122 State Highway 28, Glenwood.

• Friday, May 3, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Starbuck City Hall, 307 E. 5th Street, Starbuck.

• Tuesday, May 28, 12-6 p.m. at Glenwood Lutheran Church, 206 Minnesota Ave. E, Glenwood.

The Red Cross and the National Football League (NFL) are partnering this January, during National Blood Donor Month, to urge individuals to give blood or platelets and help tackle the emergency blood shortage. Those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma in January will automatically be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Super Bowl.

Who donations help

Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. The American Red Cross must collect enough blood and platelets every day to meet the needs of mothers experiencing complications following childbirth; premature babies; accident, trauma and burn victims; heart surgery and organ transplant patients; and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell diseases.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Minnesota and Dakotas Red Cross region is comprised of nine community chapters and five Blood Donation Centers, the Minnesota and Dakotas Region serves more than 7.3 million people. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. Learn more at redcross.org/MNDAKS