Nashville, TN – The American Red Cross now faces a blood shortage following a difficult Fourth of July week for blood and platelet donations and ongoing challenges finding new blood donors, and has issued an emergency call for eligible individuals of all blood types to give now and prevent delays in medical care.
About 450 fewer blood drives were organized by businesses and other community groups last week than during a typical week as people across the country celebrated the holiday with activities and travel.
This led to about 17,000 fewer blood donations than needed for patients in a single week, causing the Red Cross to now have less than a three-day supply of most blood types available – and less than a two-day supply of type O blood – for patients. At least a five-day supply is desired.
“Medical emergencies and critical treatments don’t stop for holiday celebrations. Patients depend on lifesaving blood transfusions every day,” said Cliff Numark, senior vice president, Red Cross Blood Services.
“Right now, the Red Cross only has less than a three-day supply when we need a five-day supply to be prepared for all situations that require blood products. To help meet this need, we’ve added about 8,000 additional appointments at blood donation centers and community blood drives over the next few weeks to accommodate more donors. But we need people to fill those appointments, please join us today,” Numark stated.
Missing Types sees encouraging response, but all donors needed now
In June, the Red Cross launched the Missing Types campaign to encourage donors – especially new donors and those who have not donated in the past years – to give blood or platelets during the challenging summer months. Through the campaign, the letters A, B and O – letters that make up the main blood groups – disappeared from popular brands to symbolize what happens when blood goes missing from hospital shelves during blood shortages.
Despite an encouraging response to the campaign, blood donations still fell short of expectations in June, resulting in more than 24,000 fewer donations than needed, about 100 fewer in the Tennessee Valley Blood Services Region, and causing a significant draw down of the Red Cross blood supply.
“Blood is only available when generous blood and platelet donors roll up a sleeve to give, and right now, all donors – especially those who have never given or haven’t given in a while – are urged to make an appointment to give today,” Numark added.
How to help
Donors of all blood types, especially type O, are urged to make an appointment to donate using the Blood Donor App, at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1.800.RED CROSS (1.800.733.2767). Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire are encouraged to help reduce the time it takes to donate.
Those interested in hosting a blood drive can learn more and sign up to sponsor a drive this summer by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/HostADrive.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities July 9th-31st
19th Air Support Operations Squadron
7146 Market Garden
Fort Campbell, KY 42223
7/31/2019: 9:30am – 3:30pm.
American Red Cross
1760 Madison Street
Clarksville, TN 37043
7/17/2019: 10:30am – 4:30pm.
7/22/2019: 10:30am – 4:30pm.
7/29/2019: 10:30am – 4:30pm.
Awaken Church
585 G South Riverside Drive
Clarksville, TN 37040
7/14/2019: 8:00am – 1:00pm.
650 Joel Drive
Fort Campbell, KY 42223
7/26/2019: 10:00am – 4:00pm.
Burns Church of Christ
2718 Church Street
Burns, TN 37029
7/17/2019: 3:00pm – 7:00pm.
Dickson County Adult Education Center
220 McLemore Street
Dickson, TN 37055
7/23/2019: 2:00pm – 6:00pm.
Dickson Cumberland Presbyterian
500 Hwy 70 East
Dickson, TN 37055
7/18/2019: 12:30pm – 5:30pm.
Fort Campbell Commissary
2606 Indiana Avenue
Fort Campbell, KY 42223
7/19/2019: 10:00am – 3:00pm.
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 Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
