January marks National Blood Donor Month and this year the American Red Cross (ARC) is facing a national blood crisis, seeing its worst shortage in over a decade, affecting hospitals across the nation. In recent weeks, blood centers across the country have reported less than a one-day’s supply of blood of certain critical blood types — a dangerously low level, according to a press release from the ARC.
“Ruby Memorial and other WVU Health System hospitals obtain most of their blood from the ARC. Like other blood suppliers across the country, the ARC’s blood inventory is very low, and they are supplying less blood to hospitals each day,” said Dr. Aaron Shmookler, director of transfusion services at WVU Medicine J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital. “This means hospitals have less blood on their shelves for patients, which includes patients needing blood during surgery or when undergoing treatment for cancer.”
The ARC — which supplies 40% of the nation’s blood — has experienced a 10% decline in the number of people donating blood since the beginning of the pandemic, said Jason Keeling, Executive Director of the ARC Allegheny Highlands Chapter. The organization continues to confront ongoing donation issues due to the pandemic, including ongoing blood drive cancellations and staffing limitations.
Keeling said a 62% drop in college and high school blood drives due to the pandemic has also contributed to the current shortage. According to the ARC, in 2019, student donors accounted for approximately 25% of donors. During the pandemic that number dropped to around 10%.
The need for blood remains constant despite having to confront COVID case surges and winter storms which further threaten the blood supply. Amid this crisis, doctors have been forced to make difficult decisions about who receives blood transfusions and who will need to wait until more products become available.
“Blood is a life-saving resource for surgical, trauma, cancer, and other patients,” Dr. Michael Edmond, WVU Medicine chief medical officer, said in a press release. “It is a resource that can only be obtained by the selfless act of blood donation. Critically low supply levels like we experience now make it challenging to provide care to those who depend on it.”
The ARC said they have had to limit blood distributions to hospitals in recent weeks. In fact, on certain days, some hospitals may only receive one out of four of the blood products requested, leaving them with less than a one-day supply of critical blood types.
“The nationwide blood shortage has inconvenienced patients by delaying their care,” Shmookler said. “And we are worried that the shortage will only become worse during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.”
According to Shmookler, those who have recovered from COVID-19 can donate blood if they are otherwise eligible to be a blood donor. “Donating blood after recovering from COVID-19 is safe for both the blood donor and blood recipient,” he said. “COVID-19 is a respiratory virus that is not known to be transmitted by blood transfusion; there have been zero reported cases of coronavirus being passed on by way of a blood transfusion.”
Shmookler added that it is “imperative that people who have recovered from COVID donate blood to boost the blood supply during the nationwide shortage.”
Blood cannot be manufactured or stockpiled and can only be made available through the kindness of volunteer donors. Blood components have a short shelf life and the blood supply needs to be constantly replenished. According to the ARC, in the United States, more than 16 million units of blood and blood products are transfused annually, with more than 45,000 units needed daily.
“Those considering donating should know that their blood donation is needed now more than ever and every donation, every pint of blood that is collected can impact the lives of up to 3 individuals,” Keeling said. Blood donations are used in a variety of ways including for their platelets, plasma, and red blood cells. Donated blood can help people who have experienced a traumatic accident, an elective surgery, cancer patients, or someone suffering from a blood disease.
To urge individuals to kick off 2022 with a blood or platelet donation, the ARC and the NFL are partnering during the month of January. Those who come to give blood, platelets, or plasma in January will automatically be entered for a chance to win a getaway to Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles. Those who come to donate will also be automatically entered to win a home theater package and a $500 e-gift card.
All types of blood are currently needed, especially types O positive and O negative, as well as platelet donations. Individuals who have received a COVID-19 vaccine currently authorized in the United States, including those manufactured by Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, and Pfizer, are able to donate blood and platelets as long as they are symptom-free and feeling well at the time of donation.
If you would like to donate, a blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Donors must be 17 years of age (16 with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and in generally good health to be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
“If you are unable to donate, please encourage others to donate,” Shmookler said. “Patients who are scheduled for surgery that may require blood transfusion can ask friends or family to donate blood before the procedure.”
Shmookler said safe driving during inclement weather and getting vaccinated will also help combat the crisis. “We see many patients who are injured during car and other accidents that bleed severely and need large quantities of blood that may not be available. Also, get vaccinated to protect yourself against severe disease. Patients with serious COVID infection can end up in intensive care units, where they often need blood transfusions.”
There are several Red Cross blood drives coming up in our area including two next week: Jan. 17 at Suncrest United Methodist Church and Jan. 18 at the WVU Student Recreation Center. The Morgantown Red Cross Blood Donation Center at 1299 Pineview Drive is also open for donation appointments every Friday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
To find additional blood drives near you visit RedCrossBlood.org or Vitalant.org. You can also call the ARC at 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or download their Blood Donor app.
“Blood donation only takes a few minutes of your time, but it can make an enormous impact on someone’s life,” Edmond said. “I strongly encourage everyone to donate blood if they are able.”
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