Call for donors: Red Cross faces critical blood shortage
Special to the Enquirer
The American Red Cross is urgently seeking blood and platelet donors following a significant decline in donations over the past month. Approximately 20,000 fewer donations have been collected than needed to sustain the national blood supply.
Donors can make an appointment by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS, or using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.
Several factors have contributed to the decline, including severe weather and record-breaking travel in May. According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), five of the busiest travel days ever occurred this month, with more high-traffic days expected throughout the season. This busy travel period often prevents regular donors from giving blood. Additionally, as the U.S. enters what AAA terms the “100 deadliest days” of summer for auto accidents, it is crucial for hospitals to have a sufficient supply of blood products for trauma and accident victims, who may require hundreds of blood units in life-threatening situations.
Boosting the blood supply In a unique collaboration, the Red Cross has partnered with Tetris to celebrate the iconic game’s 40th anniversary and encourage blood donations. From May 20 to June 9, 2024, donors will receive an exclusive Tetris + Red Cross T-shirt while supplies last and be entered for a chance to win a trip to New York to meet Tetris creator Alexey Pajitnov. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Tetris.
Pajitnov, a recent firsttime blood donor, emphasizes the importance of taking action. “I think it’s very important to not just talk about people united and helping each other, but doing it with your real action, and that’s what I tried to do this time. So, play Tetris and donate blood.” How to donate blood To donate, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCross-Blood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. All blood types are needed. Donors must bring a blood donor card, driver’s license, or two other forms of ID. Eligibility criteria include being 17 years of age (16 with parental consent where allowed), weighing at least 110 pounds, and being in generally good health. High school students and other donors aged 18 and younger must meet certain height and weight requirements.
Donors can expedite their donation process by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online on the day of their donation. Instructions are available at Red-CrossBlood.org/RapidPass or on the Blood Donor App.
