Red Cross issues plea for blood donors amid shortage
Three area blood drives are scheduled in July.
Three area blood drives are scheduled in July.
The American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania is in critical need of blood and platelet donors. The nonprofit humanitarian organization is urging everyone to donate, as they are experiencing a sharp drop in donations since the spring.
The Red Cross is in need of all blood types, but especially O-type blood donors.
In the first five months of the year, the Red Cross responded to 20 tornado related tragedies across 13 states. And meteorologists predict that storms will be more powerful in the near future.
Major hurricanes, floods, fires and heat waves have shaken many people’s lives.
“Because of the climate crisis, the Red Cross is now launching twice as many relief operations for major disasters than we did a decade ago,” said Jennifer Pipa, vice president of disaster programs for the Red Cross. “And disasters are not only straining our relief operations, but also our ability to collect life-saving blood donations. So far this year we have collected 20,000 fewer blood donations due to severe weather.”
According to America’s Blood Center and the American Hospital Association, only about 3% of the eligible U.S. populations donate blood each year. Donations from 16- to 18-year-olds have decreased because of limits on blood drives in schools, and adult donations under 25 have decreased as well.
About 12.2% of whole blood donations come from minorities, with 1 in 3 African- American donors being a match for some with sickle cell disease, an inherited blood disorder that affects 1 in 365 African-Americans in the United States.
Donations in adults 24-65 have increased, but there is a need for diversity in the donations.
“The U.S. Blood Donation Statistics and Public Messaging Guide provides verified statistics and invaluable insights into the crucial role of blood donation in sustaining the nation’s healthcare system,” said Kate Fry, CEO of America’s Blood Centers. “This new edition sheds light on the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the blood sup- ply and the need for ongoing donations from younger and diverse populations to ensure the resilience of the nation’s blood supply,” To incentivize more engagement, Red Cross is partnering with Universal Pictures for its theatrical release of the movie “TWISTERS.” Anyone who gives blood July 1-31 will be emailed a Fandango movie ticket. July 1-14 donors will receive a “TWISTERS” and Red Cross umbrella.
In addition, those who donate in July will be automatically entered in for a chance to win a 2025 Ram 1500 Big Horn.
Find more information on the locations and times of local blood drives on the Red Cross website, www.redcrossblood. org.
Appointments are needed, and donors can schedule online or call 1-800-RED CROSS.
Some local Red Cross blood drives are scheduled in July:
• July 1 — Monessen Elks Lodge 773, 70 Pioneer Drive, noon to 5:30 p.m.
• July 3 — Monongahela Fire Hall, 451 W. Main St., 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• July 24 — St. John The Baptist Catholic Church, 3332 Pittsburgh Road, Perryopolis, noon to 5 p.m.
Nya O’Neal is a summer intern at the Mon Valley Independent through Point Park University’s Pittsburgh Media Partnership. She is a rising junior at Howard University in Washington, D.C., from McKeesport.