Urgent blood supply shortage threatens lives
“Emergency: All blood types needed. Our blood inventory is at dangerous levels. Schedule your blood donation today.”
This message on the home page of the Miller-Keystone Blood Center website is echoed by the American Red Cross:
“The current blood supply is the lowest the Red Cross has seen this time of year in more than a decade,” reads a plea from the American Red Cross of Southeastern Pennsylvania.
All blood types are needed, especially type O, as well as platelets.
Together, the Red Cross and Miller-Keystone serve the hospitals and blood banks in the counties of southeastern Pennsylvania. Both organizations report unprecedented blood and platelet shortages which threaten hospital and emergency room supplies needed to save lives.
Agencies are particularly concerned about the upcoming holiday season, which always presents challenges to blood collection, they say.
“With Thanksgiving and the holidays approaching, the American Red Cross urges donors to continue to make and keep appointments now and in the weeks ahead to help overcome the ongoing emergency blood and platelet shortage that has significantly impacted the nation’s blood supply,” the Red Cross wrote in an appeal.
“Since declaring an emergency need for donors last month, thousands of people have come to Red Cross blood drives across the country to roll up a sleeve and help patients who are counting on lifesaving transfusions. The Red Cross is incredibly grateful for the kindness and generosity of these blood and platelet donors.”
However, hospital demand remains strong and at least 10,000 more donations are needed each week in the coming weeks to meet patient needs.
The blood crisis is one of the many effects on health care institutions caused by the increased demands of the global COVID-19 pandemic and the changes in lifestyle it necessitated. Blood supplies dropped significantly as blood drives were reduced and altered during stay-home orders in 2020.
With concerns about the delta variant and with many employees not returning to workplaces, opportunities for blood drives have not increased enough to make up for the shortfall. Churches, schools, colleges, and community centers which hosted regular drives are now reluctant or unable to sponsor a public blood drive.
According to a post on the Miller-Keystone website, blood donations typically decrease during the winter months, the combined result of holiday activity, inclement weather and seasonal illnesses. Last year, however, the COVID-19 pandemic added an additional challenge to the ability to provide for the transfusion needs of regional hospitals. Concern is growing that this winter will continue that trend.
Guidelines for managing virus spread also forced a change to appointment-only policies, which reduce donor walk-ins. Both blood donation organizations follow health department guidelines and require masking to keep both donors and staff safe.
Hoping to attract more donors, in November 2020, MillerKeystone Blood Center updated its donor eligibility guidelines, and as a result, many individuals previously deferred from donating may now, in fact, be eligible. And the Red Cross is offering incentives to donors, including gift cards and chances to win a trip to Hawaii.
“When you give a pint, you give more than just blood — you give the gift of life, you give someone hope for a second chance, and you give back to the community. Blood transfusions save more than 4 million Americans each year,” according to Miller-Keystone’s “Give a Pint” campaign.
The need for donors creates a crisis for hospitals and health care institutions that rely on blood for lifesaving transfusions, emergency injuries and critical surgeries. A shortage can result in tragic choices and mean life or death.
The number of lives lost in this pandemic is a sobering reminder of how fragile our lives can be. You can do your part to boost the chances for someone in a health crisis by giving blood. Make an appointment to save a life.
“With Thanksgiving and the holidays approaching, the American Red Cross urges donors to continue to make and keep appointments now and in the weeks ahead to help overcome the ongoing emergency blood and platelet shortage that has significantly impacted the nation’s blood supply.”
— The Red Cross wrote in an appeal