The American Red Cross national blood supply has fallen by more than 25% since the start of July, prompting the nonprofit to issue an emergency blood shortage notice, according to Pennsylvania regional communications director Nicole Roschella.
This shortage is largely due to the sustained hot weather felt across the county this summer, Roschella said, which has depressed turnout to blood drives — the key source of donations.
According to Roschella, since many of the local sites for blood drives, such as churches and community centers, may lack sufficient air conditioning, donors have opted to stay home and stay cool.
And while the impact of low donor turnout has been acutely felt this summer, it corresponds to a larger trend, she said.
The number of donors who attend local blood drives has declined more than 40% over the past 20 years, Roschella said.
Whole blood and platelet donation is a critical part of the American health care infrastructure, Roschella said, since blood transfusions are a common feature of treatment programs for trauma survivors or cancer patients.
Platelets, which are also known as thrombocytes, are made in bone marrow and control bleeding and clotting, making them an invaluable resource during surgery or organ transplantation, according to the Red Cross website.
The Red Cross provides more than 40% of the blood used in transfusions across the country, where more than 29,000 units are used daily, according to the nonprofit’s website.
Whole blood is only usable for about 42 days after donation, if kept in ideal conditions, while platelets are only safe to use for five days, so regular donations of both are always in need, Roschella said.
Type O negative is the most in-demand, since it can be used for any type of recipient, Roschella said.
“Type O is the most used in emergency situations,” Roschella said.
O positive is another frequently used type, and as such is in high demand, she said.
“We need all types of blood, whatever it is,” Roschella said.
There are three ways for prospective donors to sign up for a blood drive, Roschella said — on the Red Cross website, on the phone at 1-800-733-2767 or on the Red Cross app.
The web portal allows donors to search by ZIP code to find the nearest drive locations, which makes the process very accessible, she said.
In order to engage donors, the Red Cross is offering a $20 Amazon gift card to anyone who signs up for an appointment through Aug. 31, Roschella said.
VA medical center, UPMC maintain supplies
According to Van Zandt VA Memorial Medical Center chief of public affairs John Harlow, the hospital has been able to maintain a “minimum inventory” of blood.
“We have not experienced any issues supplying blood to our veterans,” Harlow said.
The amount of blood transfused at the Van Zandt facility, which serves much of south central Pennsylvania, varies over time due to patient need, but averages about eight units a month, Harlow said.
“The number of units used daily varies greatly. With the addition of the Infusion/Oncology Clinic, our blood usage has increased,” Harlow said.
Across town at UPMC Altoona, a spokesperson said that the hospital’s blood supply was not in jeopardy.
“UPMC has access to blood when needed to ensure the best care. We use a well-developed blood management program across our health system to ensure the best decisions about use and alternative strategies are used that focus on our patients’ needs,” communications specialist Bailey Schandelmeier said.
UPMC encourages community members to donate “life saving” blood at local drives, Schandelmeier said in a statement.
The importance of sustained donor support cannot be overstated, Roschella said.
“Don’t wait till something happens to someone you love, then you start thinking about it,” Roschella said, since the need for whole blood and platelets is constant.
Mirror Staff Writer Conner Goetz is at 814-946-7535.