Earlier this month, the Red Cross announced that for the first time in their history, they were declaring a national blood crisis because the nation’s blood supply is running dangerously low. If you can spare an hour over the next week or two, please consider donating blood. It could literally help save someone’s life.
The Red Cross stated that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a a significant downturn in donor turnout, leading to the worst blood shortage in more than a decade. In fact, last year the Red Cross saw a 34 percent decline in new donors.
“If the nation’s blood supply does not stabilize soon, life-saving blood may not be available for some patients when it is needed,” the organization warned in a joint statement with America’s Blood Centers and the Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies.
Many blood centers across the US have reported less than a one-day supply of some blood types, according to the statement.
What Your Blood Can Do
When you donate blood, it will be taken to a medical center and used in surgeries, transplants, chronic illness care and cancer treatment, which can make all the difference for someone who is undergoing a medical procedure. The current shortage means that doctors are being forced to make tough decisions about who should get the limited supply of blood and who will have to wait until more supply arrives.
Please consider donating blood, because you may find yourself hoping that others are doing the same in the event you ever need blood. Nobody ever plans to be involved in a traumatic accident and in need of a blood transfusion, but thousands of people find themselves in this precarious position every day, and if hospitals don’t have enough blood in stock, that could make the difference between life and death.
So please, search for blood donation centers near you or click here to be taken to a Google page with donation center search results already populated. Carve an hour out of your schedule every eight weeks and donate so that others can have access to blood when they need it most. We donate regularly, and we hope others choose to follow suit during this national crisis. Let’s help increase our reserves and develop a rewarding routine where you donate 5-6 times a year. You’ll be making a big difference in someone’s life!
For more information about blood donation, head over to the Red Cross’ website. Heck, you can even win two tickets to the Super Bowl in Los Angeles if you donate during the month of January! Learn more and schedule your next donation on their site.