Critical Blood Shortage-Urgent Donations Needed

Nationwide, blood donations decreased during the long months of COVID-19 quarantines due to various health related concerns, restrictions, and multitudes of other COVID-19 related hurdles. Blood centers are urgently asking for communities to donate blood to maintain supply levels for healthcare facilities. Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. And according to the American Red Cross, a single donation can save up to three lives. Those in healthcare know that the summer months can potentially bring increases in trauma cases and the need for increased supplies of blood. With the already low blood levels coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic and the summer months already here, the American Red Cross is urging individuals to help overcome a severe blood shortage by giving blood, platelets or plasma this summer.

Donors are strongly urged to give now to help ensure lifesaving blood products are available for patients. Hospital demand continues to outpace donations, and your help is vital. The Red Cross needs blood donors of all types, especially type O, & platelet donors to overcome this severe blood shortage. The Red Cross is following FDA blood donation eligibility guidance for those who receive a COVID-19 vaccination. If you receive a vaccine, knowing the name of the manufacturer (e.g. Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson and Johnson) is important in determining your eligibility. In most cases, there’s no deferral time if you receive a vaccine (ARC).

Ways to help spread awareness about donating blood with the American Red Cross can be found below.

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With hospital blood needs outpacing blood donations, the Red Cross urges everyone to help overcome a severe blood shortage.

3 easy ways to help:

1. Sign up to give blood, platelets or plasma now: rcblood.org/donate 🗓️

2. Ask a friend to join you 💬

3. Spread the word 📢

  • Please help! Rising trauma cases, organ transplants & elective surgeries are depleting the US blood supply. The Red Cross urgently needs blood donors of all types, especially type O, & platelet donors to overcome this severe blood shortage. Sign up at rcblood.org/donate.

  • ALERT! With hospital blood use up, the Red Cross is experiencing a severe blood shortage. As a result, some elective surgeries are being delayed until the blood supply stabilizes, delaying crucial patient care. Your help is needed! Sign up to give 🩸 ASAP: rcblood.org/donate

  • O SO NEEDED! With less than 1/2 a day supply of type O blood in recent weeks, the Red Cross has an 🚨emergency🚨 need for type O blood - the most needed blood group by hospitals. If you're type O, patients need your help. Sign up to give blood ASAP at rcblood.org/donate

  • The Red Cross has an emergency need for platelets, the clotting portion of blood. Platelets must be transfused within 5 days of donation & nearly 50% of platelet donations are given to cancer patients. Your platelet donation is urgently needed. Sign up at rcblood.org/Platelet

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