Red Cross declares national blood crisis as donations fall
From left, Karson Meadows, a collection technician, prepares Deanna Martin, a Parkersburg resident, to donate during a blood drive held at Fairlawn Baptist Church Monday afternoon. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
From left, Jacob Flowers, a collection technician, explains the process to Tina White-Huddleston, a Parkersburg resident, as she prepares to donate blood during a Blood Drive at Fairlawn Baptist Church Monday afternoon. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
From left, Karson Meadows, a collection technician, prepares Deanna Martin, a Parkersburg resident, to donate during a blood drive held at Fairlawn Baptist Church Monday afternoon. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
From left, Jacob Flowers, a collection technician, explains the process to Tina White-Huddleston, a Parkersburg resident, as she prepares to donate blood during a Blood Drive at Fairlawn Baptist Church Monday afternoon. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
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PARKERSBURG -- The American Red Cross has declared a national blood crisis for only the second time in its history as donations remain below hospital demand and supplies of some blood products fall to critically low levels.
The supply of type O positive blood has dropped below a one-day supply, prompting the Red Cross to limit how much type O blood it distributes to hospitals, according to the organization. All blood types are needed.
Sharon Kesslring, executive director for the American Red Cross of the Ohio Valley, said the organization has been unable to provide hospitals with all the blood products they have requested.
"Patient care is threatened as a result," Kesslring said. "We've had to, unfortunately, not provide to the hospitals as much blood as they've been ordering, and it really does impact nobody but the patient."
Low blood supplies can cause hospitals to postpone or reschedule surgeries and other procedures that may require transfusions, she said. Blood cannot be manufactured or replaced with another medical product, leaving hospitals dependent on volunteer donors.
"Blood and platelets cannot be manufactured -- they can only come from volunteer donors," Dr. Michael Edmond, WVU Medicine chief medical officer, said in a June release. "These resources are essential for routine surgeries, cancer treatments, chronic illnesses and traumatic injuries. One donation can help save more than one life, so your response right now is critical."
Blood donations typically decline during the summer as schools are closed and regular donors travel or change their routines. This year's downturn has been particularly severe, with donations falling to a four-year summer low, according to the Red Cross.
Extreme heat, periods of poor air quality and widespread foodborne illnesses have also contributed to lower donor turnout, the organization said.
"This summer has brought a number of unique challenges that have placed additional strain on our blood supply, creating growing concerns for hospitals and the patients who rely on lifesaving transfusions," Paul Sullivan, senior vice president of donor services for the Red Cross, said in a statement.
Sullivan said the blood supply could begin to recover if three additional donors gave at each Red Cross blood drive during the remainder of the summer.
WVU Medicine has also encouraged eligible residents to donate amid the ongoing shortage. The health system held a blood drive July 7 at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown as part of its efforts to increase donations.
"Donating blood takes only a few minutes, and it has an immediate, lifesaving impact on our patients," Edmond said. "If you are generally healthy and eligible, please consider donating today."
People who are at least 17-years-old, weigh at least 110 pounds and have not donated blood during the previous 56 days may be eligible to donate, according to WVU Medicine. Additional eligibility requirements may apply.
Kesslring encouraged people with questions about their eligibility to contact the Red Cross or visit a blood drive. Eligibility standards can change, and a condition, medication, surgery or travel history that prevented someone from donating in the past may not necessarily disqualify the person now, she said.
"Things can change very rapidly in the blood industry," Kesslring said. "What may have deferred somebody, for instance, a year ago may no longer be a reason for deferral now."
Appointments can be scheduled through the Red Cross Blood Donor App, at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS. The app allows donors to search for drives within a selected distance, schedule appointments, receive reminders and, in some cases, track where their donation was sent.
Those who donate through July 31 will receive a Fandango movie ticket by email worth up to $15, according to the Red Cross. Donors who give between Aug. 1 and Aug. 31 will receive a $20 Amazon gift card by email.
The Red Cross supplies about 40% of the blood used in the United States.
Memorial Health Systems was not immediately available for comment.