American Red Cross Warns Of Dwindling Blood Supply  

The American Red Cross is facing a severe blood shortage as requests from hospitals exceed the available supply of blood. The situation has led to a 35% drawdown of blood products including whole blood, platelets and plasma in the past month.

Those interested in donating blood can visit redcrossblood.org or download the Blood Donor app to check their donation eligibility, complete registration and find a blood drive in their area.  

Jason Keeling, executive director of the American Red Cross of Allegheny Highlands chapter, said winter weather often complicates and disrupts blood drives. In the case of severe weather like the kind expected across the region this weekend, multiple blood drives may need to be canceled.

“Even if drives are held, not everyone may be able to get out to make that donation,” Keeling said. “When you couple that with the fact that only a small percentage of the population actually donates blood, even small interruptions can make significant impact.”

Keeling said just 3% of the eligible population donates blood, emphasizing the effects of each person who donates. But he said technology has made it easier than ever to donate.

“The app, particularly, actually provides information once a donor has made their contribution, where they’ll be able to see what some of their intake health history actually was,” Keeling said. “They’ll be able to reference, you know, what was their iron level, what was their blood pressure, what was their pulse, and where did the actual unit of blood ultimately go.”

For those who don’t qualify to donate for whatever reason, Keeling said volunteers are always needed at drives.

“We call it a blood donor ambassador, and that’s the person who greets blood donors as they come in,” Keeling said. “(The ambassador) gets them signed into the drive, lets our staff know they’ve arrived, and then once the donor has fulfilled the donation is there for them in what we call the canteen, to make sure that you know, they’re replenished with some snacks and drinks before they head on with their days, so we can engage volunteers in that way.”

The American Red Cross provides approximately 40% of the nation’s blood supply to hospitals throughout the country.