Donors urged to give as nation faces low blood supply

ALBANY — The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage as the nation faces the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years. The Red Cross blood supply has fallen to critically low levels across the country, and blood donors are urged to make a donation appointment to help alleviate the shortage and help ensure lifesaving medical procedures are not put on hold.

Over the last 20 years, the number of people donating blood to the Red Cross has fallen by about 40%. When fewer people donate blood, even small disruptions to blood donations — such as the nearly 7,000-unit shortfall in blood donations the Red Cross experienced between Christmas and New Year’s Day alone — can have a huge impact on the availability of blood products and dramatic consequences for those in need of emergency blood transfusion. Blood products are currently going to hospitals faster than blood donations are coming in, and in recent weeks, the Red Cross has had to limit distributions of type O blood products — among the most transfused blood types — to hospitals.

“Small changes in blood donor turnout can have a huge impact on the availability of blood products and dramatic consequences for those in need of an emergency blood transfusion,” Dr. Eric Gehrie, the executive physician director for the Red Cross, said in a news release. “More challenges may lie ahead as the potential for severe winter weather and seasonal illness may compound the dire blood supply situation. Donors of all types — especially those with type O blood and those giving platelets — are urged to give now.”

Donors are urged to make an appointment, by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

The Red Cross and the National Football League are partnering this January, during National Blood Donor Month, to urge individuals to give blood or platelets and help tackle the emergency blood shortage. Those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma in January will automatically be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Super Bowl.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities include:

Albany

1/11: 3-7 p.m., Byne Memorial Baptist Church, 2832 Ledo Road;

1/12: 2:30-6:30 p.m., U.S. 19 Church of Christ, 724 Liberty Expressway;

1/13: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Union Missionary Baptist Church, 214 E. Oglethorpe Ave.;

1/23: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Albany Technical College, Building C, 1704 South Slappey Blvd.

Moultrie

1/25: 1-5 p.m., First United Methodist Church-Fellowship Hall, 409 1st St. Southeast.

Cordele

1/9: 1-6 p.m., Cordele Community Clubhouse, 108 15th Ave.

Tifton

1/12: 2-6 p.m., Tifton Mall, 458 N. Virginia Ave.;

1/15: 3-7 p.m., Northside Baptist Church of Tifton, 4605 Murray Ave.;

1/16: 12:30-5:30 p.m., Tifton Methodist Church, 107 West 12th St.;

1/18: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., ABAC/John Hunt Town center, 2802 Moore Highway.

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, visit redcross.org.

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