american red cross urgently sounding the alarm Regarding the shortage of “emergency” blood donations, which can mean “life or death” for patients.
The Red Cross, the country's largest blood supplier, says donations have fallen by 40%, reaching an alarmingly low level in 20 years.
“Every two seconds someone in our country needs life-saving blood, and its availability can mean the difference between life and death. But blood depends on the generosity of those who roll up their sleeves to donate. It's only available to us because of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Dr. Pampy Young, Red Cross chief medical officer, said in a statement.
This year again, the organization is partnering with the National Football League. Win 2 Super Bowl LVIII tickets It was held in Las Vegas as a way to recruit more volunteers to collect needles.
Inside the blood donation crisis
The Red Cross announced a shortage of 7,000 units of donated blood between Christmas and New Year's Day alone.
“To put the numbers in perspective, we need an additional 8,000 donations each week in January to meet current hospital needs,” said Red Cross Medical Director Dr. Eric Gary. told ABC News.
“Hospitals need more blood than they can provide at current donation levels, and this is really…a long-term problem.”
The nonprofit organization said the low numbers are likely related to the spike in respiratory illnesses such as coronavirus and influenza, which are common during the winter months. The organization also blames the rise in remote work as an invisible and out-of-mind factor in people not participating in blood drives.
This shortage also has a significant negative impact on pediatric patients. Children use approximately 652,000 blood components per year. According to the American Blood Center.
“Hospital floors are full of children who need blood and cannot survive without it,” said Ivy, whose 9-year-old son, Finn, has been battling B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia since 2021. Ward told Red. cross.
“In the last two years alone, he has received over 25 blood products and he is just one child… Without the donated blood products, Finn would not be here today.” she added.
According to America's Blood Centers, a quarter of all donations (just 3% of the population) go to cancer patients, and each donation helps two more patients in need. states that it is possible.
“Survival rates for many cancers and blood disorders are improving, but prolonged blood transfusions are often required during treatment.” According to Dr. Glenn E. RamseyMedical Director of Northwestern Medicine Blood Bank.
“Medical advances over the years have also increased the need for blood for the treatment of many diseases.”
How to win Super Bowl tickets by donating blood
Blood, plasma and platelet donations by the Red Cross until the end of January will be automatically registered Donors to February's Big Match Sweepstakes.
This great deal includes round-trip airfare for two, a three-night hotel stay from February 9th to 12th, a $1,000 gift card, and a game at the Las Vegas Raiders' state-of-the-art facility. Also includes access to previous festivals. Allegiant Stadium.
NFL legend Peyton Manning said, “The more we all come together and do our part and come together as a community to donate blood, the more wins we can accumulate.” People affiliated with the Red Cross.
“One person can definitely make an impact, but giving as a whole team can have an even bigger impact.”
