Blood Donations NeededThe American Red Cross typically has a tough time keeping the blood supply strong during the winter months when inclement weather and seasonal illnesses can impact donors.
This year, the COVID-19 pandemic is adding to the challenge to keeping the blood supply strong. Due to that, the Red Cross is urging healthy individuals to make an appointment to give blood or platelets this month.
“While blood donations have been steady since the beginning of the New Year, recent winter weather over the last seven days has caused more than 4,500 blood donations to be canceled across the country. With additional inclement weather expected in the days ahead, the Red Cross expects more negative impact to blood donations. The Red Cross urges blood donations in areas where it is safe to travel to donate to help make up for these canceled donations,” LaMar Holliday, regional communications director for American Red Cross – Indiana region, said.
The Red Cross provides about 40% of the nation’s blood and blood components, which is from volunteer donors, Holliday said.
“But supply can’t always meet demand because only about 3% of age-eligible people donate blood yearly. Approximately 36,000 units of red blood cells are needed every day in the U.S. The Red Cross strives to keep a five-day supply or more on hand for each blood type,” Holliday said. He also said nearly 7,000 units of platelets and 10,000 units of plasma are needed every day in the U.S.
“One donation can potentially save up to three lives. These blood components can be used to help people battling sickle cell, cancer, victims of car accidents and more,” Holliday said.
He talked about the struggle the pandemic is adding to blood supplies.
“This year the pandemic adds in another challenge in keeping the blood supply strong. The Red Cross is currently able to meet immediate patient needs. However, it’s important to note that hospitals are still working through a backlog of canceled elective surgeries and procedures from the spring, resulting in a significant increase in distributions of both red blood cells and platelets to hospitals as they work to reschedule these critical procedures. Blood donors are needed to help meet these patient needs. Recent severe winter weather canceling blood donations has also made a negative impact on the blood supply,” Holliday said.
There are eight blood types: A+, A-, B+, B-, AB+, AB, O+ and O-. However, Holliday said there are additional blood markers, called antigens, that are specific to racial and ethnic background.
“There are hundreds of different antigens like this, which can be important to match for patients with rare blood needs. For this reason, it is vital that individuals of all ethnic backgrounds donate regularly so that patients of all ethnicities can get the best matched blood possible,” He said.
The most common type of blood type requested by hospitals is type O.
“Type O negative red cells can be given to patients of all blood types. Because only 7% of people in the U.S. are type O negative, it’s always in great demand and often in short supply. All types are needed on an ongoing basis,” Holliday said.
There are certain requirements for people to donate blood. The requirements includes the donor being at least 17 in most states., weigh at least 110 pounds and in generally good health.
“Due to the pandemic, the American Red Cross is required to follow the eligibility guidelines by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), including guidance regarding blood donor eligibility related to those who receive a COVID-19 vaccine,” Holliday said.
The following eligibility guidelines apply to each COVID-19 vaccine received, including the second dose administration: There is no deferral time for eligible blood donors who are vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by AstraZeneca, Janssen/J&J, Moderna, Novavax or Pfizer; and eligible blood donors who received a live attenuated COVID-19 vaccine or do not know what type of COVID-19 vaccine they received must wait two weeks before giving blood, he said.
When donating, Holliday said donors must wait at least eight weeks, or 56 days, between donations of whole blood and 16 weeks, or 112 days, between Power Red donations, Holliday said.
According to the Red Cross website, during Power Red donations, red blood cells are separated from other blood components, and the plasma and platelets are safely and comfortably returned to the donor. Each Power Red donation gives more of the product that is needed most by patients.
When donating, platelet apheresis donors may give every seven days up to 24 times per year, as regulations are different for those giving blood for themselves, Holliday said.
Upcoming donation opportunities include:
• Tuesday, noon to 6 p.m., Center Lake Pavilion, 117 Canal St., Warsaw.
