Blood donations still needed as national supply remains vulnerable
The national blood crisis is over, but the need for donors is not.
The American Red Cross told NBC Connecticut Monday morning that, as of Monday, the national blood crisis had ended. However, the organization said the nation’s blood supply remains extremely vulnerable and continued donations are needed.
That continued need was highlighted Monday during a community blood drive in Wethersfield hosted by Johnson Brunetti Retirement & Investment Specialists in partnership with the American Red Cross.
The five-hour drive was held at the Wethersfield Community Center, also known as the Pitkin Community Center. Organizers said all blood types were needed, with type O in short supply.
Connecticut has also faced significant challenges maintaining its blood supply this summer.
On July 13, the Connecticut Blood Center declared a blood emergency after the organization said the region’s blood supply had fallen below a two-day inventory. According to the Connecticut Blood Center, a healthy blood supply typically ranges from five to seven days.
The Connecticut Blood Center said the shortage was part of a broader national blood shortage, with blood centers across the country reporting critically low inventories.
According to the organization, school breaks, vacations, holiday travel and changing routines can lead to fewer donations during the summer, while hospitals continue treating trauma patients, cancer patients, surgical patients and others who rely on blood every day.
In the Connecticut Blood Center’s July 13 release, Dr. Greg Makowski, vice president of clinical laboratory services at Hartford HealthCare, pointed to the July Fourth holiday and extreme heat as factors contributing to decreased blood supplies across the region.
“The July 4th holiday and extreme hot weather in the Northeast have contributed to significantly decreased blood supply across the region,” Makowski said in the Connecticut Blood Center release. “Please note that summertime outdoor activities can lead to increased injuries and the potential need for blood. The universal donor type, O Negative blood, has been especially impacted. Please donate today. You’ll feel great knowing that someone in need will benefit from your donation.”
The Connecticut Blood Center has continued encouraging all eligible donors, particularly those with type O blood, to schedule appointments. The organization says blood donors can give every 56 days.
People interested in donating through the American Red Cross can schedule an appointment by calling 1-800-733-2767 or visiting RedCrossBlood.org.
The Connecticut Blood Center says donors can find eligibility information or schedule an appointment by calling 800-688-0900 or visiting ctblood.org.
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