The holiday season has passed, but the effects of seasonal activities and holiday travel are proving to have lasting effects on the blood supply. A holiday donation shortfall is now prompting the American Red Cross to issue an emergency call for blood and platelet donors to give now to prevent a prolonged blood shortage.

 

Because blood is a perishable product that can only be supplied by generous volunteers, any disruptions to blood donations – whether from holidays, severe winter weather or even widespread flu – could cause delays in lifesaving medical treatments this winter. The Red Cross collected more than 27,000 fewer blood and platelet donations the weeks of Christmas and New Year’s than needed to sustain a sufficient blood supply. During this period, about 1,350 fewer blood drives were hosted by volunteer sponsor groups than required to meet patient needs as busy holiday schedules kept many donors away.

 

“Many people may not realize that blood products are perishable, and the only source of lifesaving blood for patients is volunteer blood donors,” said Cliff Numark, senior vice president, Red Cross Biomedical Services. “When donations decline – as they did around the holidays and may further decline if severe winter weather and flu season pick up – lifesaving medical treatments could be delayed.”

 

Right now, the Red Cross has less than a three-day supply of most blood types on hand, well below the ideal five-day supply needed to respond to emergencies and daily hospital needs. Blood products are currently being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities

Kiester

1/28/2019: 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Community Center, Highway 22

 

Winnebago

1/29/2019: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Community Center, 140 Main St.

Trimont

2/4/2019: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Evangelical Covenant Church, 61 Main St. E.

Ceylon

2/7/2019: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Legends 2, 103 E. Main St.

Blue Earth

2/11/2019: 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Hope United Methodist Church, 12080 380th Ave.

All eligible donors, especially platelet donors and blood donors with type O blood, are urged to make an appointment to give in the coming days to help restock the shelves for hospital patients. Eligible donors can find a blood or platelet donation opportunity and schedule an appointment to donate by using the free Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Volunteer blood drive hosts are also critically needed to prevent the shortage from worsening this winter.