The American Red Cross has declared a national emergency blood shortage and issued an appeal for donations, citing the lowest number of people giving blood in the last 20 years.
Officials from the American Red Cross and other blood donation centers are encouraging Tri-Valley people to donate blood if they are able.
“We are asking donors to come and donate as soon as possible and to make appointments and honor them,” said Martine Gagliano, regional communications manager for the American Red Cross (ARC) in the Northern California coastal region.
“When these things happen, it gets so worrisome. Are (hospitals) going to have to cancel surgeries? It can be grim,” said Julie Peachey, public relations officer for the Stanford Blood Center.
Donations have historically declined in January as individuals return to hectic work and school schedules, which is one of the reasons January is National Blood Donor Month.
However, according to the ARC, overall donation numbers have decreased by around 40% over the last two decades. That implies that even minor disruptions, such as the approximately 7,000-unit shortfall seen between Christmas and New Year’s Day, can have a significant influence on blood product supply, with far-reaching ramifications for those in need of emergency blood transfusions.
The number of young persons giving blood has decreased significantly since 2020, when Covid first emerged. During the outbreak, many schools, colleges, and corporations closed their blood drives. Many younger first-time donors donate blood via mobile drives in schools and/or companies rather than at blood banks.
During the last decade, US blood facilities have lost approximately 30% of their donors under the age of 30, with the most dramatic decreases occurring between 2020 and 2021.
“But when there is a national blood shortage, oftentimes other hospitals will call us to fulfill their inventory,” said Peachey. “So, in addition to all of the hospitals we are the only provider for, we get asked to also provide to other hospitals.”
Peachey observed that one positive change in an otherwise negative trend has been the relaxation of eligibility standards. Previously, only 38% of the national population was eligible to donate owing to exposure to certain diseases, but the FDA has recently abolished this delay.
Furthermore, altering the individual donor assessment and allowing more homosexual and bisexual men to donate while maintaining a safe blood supply has enabled more people to donate and have a more fair donation experience.
“Which is great,” said Peachey. “We’re hoping this will increase the number.” As it stands now, nationally and here in the Bay Area, it is still less than 3-5% of eligible donors who give blood.
“Sometimes it’s not necessarily that people don’t want to give blood — maybe they’ve never been asked, or they haven’t been exposed to it. It’s just not on their radar,” Peachey added.
Places to donate: redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or via the Red Cross Blood Donor App (January donors are eligible for a chance to win trip for two to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas.)
Stanford Blood Center has four donation center locations, one in Dublin. Appointments can be scheduled online at stanfordbloodcenter.org or via the Stanford Blood Center mobile app or by calling 888-723-7831 or texting 999-777. Walk-ins welcome for blood donations. Platelet and plasma appointments recommended. (January donors are eligible for chance to win a two-night stay at Ritz-Carlton of choice and Stanford Women’s basketball tickets.)
The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at the Dublin Civic Center, 100 Civic Plaza, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb 2. Potential donors should contact the Red Cross at redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-2767 to schedule an appointment.