PHILADELPHIA, PA — The American Red Cross is urging donors to schedule blood and platelet donations after a sharp decline in appointments reduced the nation’s blood supply by several thousand units in a single week, raising concerns about availability during the summer trauma season.
The organization said scheduled donations, which account for roughly 90% of blood collections, have fallen significantly in recent weeks as the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day begins.
The warning comes as hospitals typically see increased demand for blood products during the summer months due to traffic crashes, recreational accidents, sports injuries, surgeries, childbirth-related complications, and treatment for chronic medical conditions.
According to the Red Cross, a single patient injured in a severe vehicle crash can require up to 100 units of blood.
“For a person suffering from severe bleeding — and the emergency medical responders caring for them — stopping the bleeding and stabilizing them is a race against an unforgiving clock,” said Dr. Emily Coberly, medical director for the Red Cross.
Coberly said that for patients experiencing hemorrhagic shock, “every minute matters,” adding that the risk of death increases when blood transfusions are delayed.
The Red Cross said maintaining adequate inventory becomes more difficult during the summer because of school breaks, travel schedules, weather disruptions, and seasonal declines in blood drive participation.
AAA has reported that fatal crashes involving teen drivers increase by approximately 30% during the period often referred to as the “100 deadliest days” between Memorial Day and Labor Day, according to the Red Cross.
“Every unit of lifesaving blood on an ambulance, emergency medical helicopter or in a hospital didn’t get there by accident,” Coberly said. “It’s there because someone rolled up their sleeve to give blood.”
The organization is seeking donations from all blood types and said appointments in the coming weeks will be critical to maintaining supplies for hospitals and emergency responders.
Eligible donors can schedule appointments through the Red Cross Blood Donor App, by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), or by visiting RedCrossBlood.org.
The Red Cross said donors who give through Saturday, May 31, will receive a beach towel while supplies last. Donors who give between June 1 and June 28 will receive a $15 electronic gift card and be entered into a drawing for one of two $7,500 gift cards. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/June.
Information about completing the RapidPass pre-donation health questionnaire is available at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass.
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