The American Red Cross anticipates a blood
shortage as recent donation numbers wane, prompting them to issue an urgent
call for donors of all blood types but especially Type O.
by John
Tyburski
Copyright © Daily
Digest News, KPR Media, LLC. All rights reserved.
Donations of
blood and platelets to the American Red Cross have dropped by about eight
percent in the past three months. The shortfall is estimated at approximately
80,000 fewer donations than anticipated. Worse, the donation numbers continue
to decline, and an emergency shortage of blood for transfusions is feared. The
shortage prompted the Red Cross to issue an urgent statement and call for donors on Tuesday.
This year,
the Independence Day holiday fell on a Friday, resulting in fewer blood drives
scheduled for early July. The number of people taking vacations over the long
weekend, as well as the short week prior and the week following, translated
into sponsors hosting fewer drives. The Red Cross typically expects around
4,400 blood drives during this period, but this year there were only 3,450.
The agency
desperately needs blood donations from eligible donors of all blood types. The
donated blood will help ward off a feared emergency shortage. Eligibility
typically means anyone age 17 or older in reasonably good health who weighs at
least 110 pounds. Potential donors aged 18 or younger may donate with additional,
youth-specific height and weight minimums. Any eligible donor may safely donate
blood every 56 days, according to the Red Cross.
Individuals
with blood types O negative, B negative, and A negative are especially
encouraged to donate as soon as possible. Type O negative is the universal
blood type and may be given to any patient in need of a blood transfusion.
Donated
blood is important for not only victims of traumatic injury but also for
patients of major surgical procedures and pregnant women delivering infants.
Donated platelets are also in short supply and urgently needed.
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