American Red Cross facingemergency blood shortage

Dan Dowling, Contributor

The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage as the nation faces the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years. The Red Cross blood supply has fallen to critically low levels across the country, and blood and platelet donors are urged to make a donation appointment to help alleviate the shortage and help ensure lifesaving medical procedures are not put on hold.

Over the last 20 years, the number of people donating blood to the Red Cross has fallen by about 40 percent. When fewer people donate blood, even small disruptions to blood donations — such as the nearly 7,000-unit shortfall in blood donations the Red Cross experienced between Christmas and New Year’s Day alone — can have a huge impact on the availability of blood products and dramatic consequences for those in need of emergency blood transfusion. 

Blood products are currently going to hospitals faster than blood donations are coming in, and in recent weeks, the Red Cross has had to limit distributions of type O blood products — among the most transfused blood types — to hospitals.

“Small changes in blood donor turnout can have a huge impact on the availability of blood products and dramatic consequences for those in need of an emergency blood transfusion,” said Dr. Eric Gehrie, executive physician director for the Red Cross. “More challenges may lie ahead as the potential for severe winter weather and seasonal illness may compound the dire blood supply situation. Donors of all types, especially those with type O blood and those giving platelets, are urged to give now.”

To make an appointment, download the Red Cross blood donor app, visit the website or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

The Red Cross and the National Football League (NFL) are partnering this January, during National Blood Donor Month, to urge individuals to give blood or platelets and help tackle the emergency blood shortage. Those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma in January will automatically be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities in the vicinity this month include:

  • Burlington
    Jan. 16, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Greater Burlington YMCA, 298 College St.
    Jan. 16, noon-5 p.m., Hula Lakeside, 50 Lakeside Ave.
  • Colchester
    Jan. 18, 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Vermont Public, 365 Troy Ave.
    Jan. 30, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Our Lady of Grace Church, 784 Main St
  • Essex
    Jan. 29, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Essex Alliance Church, 37 Old Stage Road
  • Essex Junction
    Jan. 20, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., The Essex Resort & Spa – The Mansion, 70 Essex Way
  • Shelburne
    Jan. 23, noon-5 p.m., St. Catherine of Siena, 72 Church St.
  • Vergennes
    Jan. 23, noon-4:30 p.m., Cross Life Church, 1759 US Rte. 7
  • Winooski
    Jan. 19, noon-5 p.m., Winooski Senior Ctr., 123 Barlow St.