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SALT LAKE CITY — Blood donation shortages across the country are creating a crisis within a crisis, according to the American Red Cross.
With the cancellation of 4,500 Red Cross blood drives due to coronavirus concerns, needed blood donations are expected to drop by about 150,000 donations through March.
"The fact remains that every two seconds someone needs blood, so this is a potentially life-threatening situation in the context of our already unprecedented health crisis," according to a Red Cross news release.
Cynthia De La Torre, a spokeswoman for the American Red Cross, said blood only has a shelf life of 42 days. This makes it more challenging for the Red Cross to administer blood donations when needed to the 2,500 hospitals they provide for.
"We're not able to manufacture, or stockpile blood cells," said De La Torre.
Though there is no evidence of any respiratory virus being transmissible through blood transfusion, coronavirus outbreaks have made fewer people eligible to donate.
Anyone who has traveled to China or its special administrative regions, Hong Kong or Macau, Iran, Italy or South Korea cannot donate for 28 days. The Red Cross has also asked those with a COVID-19 diagnosis, or who are even suspected to have the virus, to wait 28 days.
"That's why we are asking healthy donors, those who are healthy and eligible to give, to share their good health and give that life-saving blood now," said De La Torre.
Social distancing also contributes to current blood donation shortages.
"You can still go out and give blood. We’re worried about potential blood shortages in the future," U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams said in a March 20 post on the Red Cross’ website. "Social distancing does not have to mean social disengagement."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides recommendations to keep donors safe, including keeping donor beds and chairs 6 feet apart, heeding environmental cleaning practices and making an appointment with your local blood drive.
While public health officials work to limit the spread of the #coronavirus (#COVID19), we're asking for your help with another potential public health issue: a severe shortage of blood for patients. Healthy donors are urged to make an appt w/the @RedCrosshttps://t.co/DjSQo5R0lMpic.twitter.com/yQDhddQq6m
— American Red Cross of Utah (@RedCrossUtah) March 23, 2020
"CDC encourages people who are well to continue to donate blood if they are able, even if they are practicing social distancing because of COVID-19," according to a news release.
"Donating blood is a safe process and people should not hesitate to give," De La Torre told KSL.com. "Blood drives are not considered ‘mass gatherings’ as these are controlled events with trained staff and appropriate safety measures to protect donors and recipients."
Still, the American Red Cross enhanced its own safety protocols amongst staff and donors.
Before Red Cross staff can take part in a blood drive, they undergo a standard health assessment. During a blood drive, they will continue safety measures already put in place such as wearing gloves and replacing them often, and wiping down donor-touched areas after each collection.
For donors, the Red Cross will conduct mini-physicals that include a temperature check and will provide hand sanitizer throughout donation appointments.
For Power Red and AB Elite donors, Red Cross will launder provided blankets between each use. Since this may limit blanket availability, the Red Cross encourages donors to bring their own blankets.
"We don't want to face another public health crisis," De La Torre said.
Donating blood is a safe process and people should not hesitate to give. Blood drives are not considered ‘mass gatherings’ as these are controlled events with trained staff and appropriate safety measures to protect donors and recipients.
–Cynthia De La Torre, American Red Cross spokeswoman
As soon as the Red Cross receives blood donations, they are sent out to local and national hospitals. The blood is then used for cancer patients, victims of car accidents and other patients in emergency situations. According to De La Torre, these are some of the most vulnerable groups in this crisis.
"We depend heavily on the volunteer blood donors, which is the only source of blood for these patients," De La Torre said. "We do urge them to make their appointments in the coming days and weeks to come since we only have a certain capacity at our blood donation center."
Utahn residents unable to donate blood can still contribute through monetary donations, volunteering for the Red Cross, and hosting a community blood drive.
"During a crisis, we see the best of humanity when Americans step up and help their neighbors," De La Torre told KSL.com. "In the midst of this coronavirus emergency, we are asking people to take this responsibility seriously by practicing social distancing and donating blood.
"These two activities — which are not mutually exclusive — will go a long way in keeping community members healthy by slowing the spread of the virus and by ensuring that patients across the country receive life-saving blood."
