An emergency blood shortage is prompting the American Red Cross to issue an urgent call for eligible donors of all blood types – especially type O – to give now and help save lives.
The Red Cross escalated its call for blood and platelet donors after a difficult Independence Day week for donations. More than 550 fewer blood drives were organized by businesses and other community groups last week than during a typical week as individuals across the country celebrated the holiday and enjoyed summer activities. This could equate to as many as 15,000 fewer donations than needed, causing donations to now be distributed to hospitals faster than they come in.
“Each and every day, individuals across the country depend on blood and platelet donations for lifesaving treatments and emergency care, so it’s critical that people donate now to meet these needs,” said Cliff Numark, senior vice president, Red Cross Blood Services. “Whether you’ve never donated or give a couple of times a year, you’re needed to give as soon as possible to help save patient lives. Yours may be the donation a patient is counting on.”
This need is especially critical for type O blood donors. Type O is the most in-demand blood type and often the first be depleted from hospital shelves during a shortage. Type O negative is the universal blood type and what emergency room personnel reach for when there is no time to determine the blood type of patients in the most serious situations. Type O positive is the most common blood type and can be transfused to Rh-positive patients of any blood type.
How to help
To schedule an appointment to donate, use the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). The Red Cross has added about 6,500 additional appointment slots at donation centers and community blood drives across the country over the next few weeks to accommodate more donors. Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire are encouraged to help reduce the time it takes to donate.
Who blood donations help
Because of generous donors, the Red Cross is able to provide blood products for patients like 9-month-old Krew Anderson. Krew is a happy, laid-back baby boy. His wide grin frames two tiny teeth. He likes to play with balloons and just experienced his first boat ride and fireworks show, but Krew has faced more challenges in the last four months than many people will experience in a lifetime.
In March, Krew was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, a type of cancer that causes bone marrow to produce a large number of abnormal blood cells. Since then, he has gone through four rounds of chemotherapy and received 15 blood and platelet transfusions to date.
“The first time he got [a transfusion], I was just super nervous and didn’t know really what was happening,” said his mother, Stephanie Anderson. “Now, when he gets one, I’m like, ‘Yes, please, get him some blood to help him get more energy and back to normal.’”
Krew’s father, Richard Anderson, donated blood a couple of times a year prior to his son’s diagnosis, but after seeing Krew receive blood, he now plans to give as soon as he’s eligible again.
“For me, just knowing that if it happened to me, it can happen to anyone. I want to make sure there’s enough blood out there for everyone, and that there’s no shortage,” he said.
Missing Types sees encouraging increase in new donors – all donors needed now
Facing a decline of about 80,000 new Red Cross blood donors each year for the past several years, the Red Cross launched the Missing Types campaign in June to encourage new donors, and those who have not given recently, to donate blood. While the campaign has already inspired thousands of new donors to give, the Red Cross is now calling on all eligible blood and platelet donors to roll up a sleeve as soon as possible to overcome the emergency blood shortage.
Through the Missing Types campaign, which runs throughout the summer, the letters A, B and O – letters used to identify blood types – disappeared from corporate logos, celebrity social media accounts and favorite websites to illustrate the critical role every blood donor plays in ensuring blood is never missing from hospital shelves.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities in Chester County:
American Red Cross Blood Donation Center
West Chester Blood Donation Center
523 East Gay St., West Chester
Monday – Thursday: 11:45 a.m. – 7:45 p.m. (whole blood)
Friday – Sunday: 7:15 a.m. – 3 p.m. (whole blood & platelet pheresis)
Avondale
7/26/2018: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Avondale Fire Company, 23 Firehouse Way
7/29/2018: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Dunkin’ Donuts, 81 Baltimore Pike
Berwyn
7/10/2018: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach Trident, 1205 Westlakes Drive
7/12/2018: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Envestnet, 1000 Chesterbrook Blvd., Suite 250
Coatesville
7/19/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Cornerstone Fellowship Church, Family Life Center, 101 Kylies Road
Devon
7/25/2018: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 217 Berkley Road
Downingtown
7/22/2018: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., West Bradford Fire Company Sub Station, 1385 Campus Drive
7/27/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Ashbridge Manor Senior Living Center, 971 E. Lancaster Ave.
Exton
7/29/2018: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Clarion at Exton, 815 N. Pottstown Pike
Frazer
7/17/2018: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., East Whiteland Township Municipal Building, 209 Conestoga Road
7/23/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Covenant Presbyterian Church, 400 Lancaster Ave.
Glenmoore
7/12/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Ludwig’s Corner Fire Company, 1325 Pottstown Park
Kennett Square
7/20/2018: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Kennett Fire Company No. 1, 301 Dalmation St.
7/30/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Episcopal Church of the Advent, 401 N. Union St.
Paoli
7/13/2018: 7 a.m. – 5 p.m., Paoli Hospital, 255 W. Lancaster Ave.
Pottstown
7/23/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Norco Fire Company, 144 W. Schuylkill Road
West Chester
7/17/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Saints Simon and Jude Church, 8 Cavanaugh Court
7/19/2018: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., West Chester University, Sykes Student Union, 110 W. Rosedale Ave.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit RedCross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
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This article is intended for informational, entertainment or educational purposes only and should not be construed as advice, guidance or counsel. It is provided without warranty of any kind.