American Red Cross declares emergency blood shortage due to 20-year decrease in donors

Jill Baker, watches a movie as Jonathan Guillen, collection specialist, assists her with her blood donation at the American Red Cross location in Murray, on Monday.

Jill Baker, watches a movie as Jonathan Guillen, collection specialist, assists her with her blood donation at the American Red Cross location in Murray, on Monday. (Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)


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SALT LAKE CITY — The American Red Cross declared an emergency blood shortage on Monday, driven by a 20-year low in blood donors.

It said Monday that over the last 20 years the number of people donating blood has fallen by 40%.

The Red Cross of Utah is echoing the national organization's plea for more blood donors, and said with fewer donors minor disruptions — like the expected decrease in donations between Christmas and New Year's Day — have a more significant impact.

Michael Smauldon, executive director for the Red Cross in northern Utah and southwest Wyoming, said typically they see an increase in donations right before and after the holidays but they have not seen that increase yet in 2024.

"We really need people to help us, and to come in," he said.

He said older generations of volunteers have been regular with donating blood and time with the Red Cross, but the younger generations do not often prioritize donations as highly. Smauldon, a millennial himself, said he can feel and see the difference.

"We're busy ... in our careers, we're busy traveling, we're busy hanging with our friends, we're busy traveling the globe — but we can take 30 minutes of our time to help save a life," he said. "We can take just a small amount of time to help those who really need it most."

Dennis Druce is assisted in his blood donation by technician Shea Proctor at the American Red Cross Murray location on Monday.
Dennis Druce is assisted in his blood donation by technician Shea Proctor at the American Red Cross Murray location on Monday. (Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)

The Red Cross, which supplies 40% of the nation's blood supply, has needed to limit distributions of type O blood products to hospitals in the last few weeks. In Utah, 45 hospitals rely on the Red Cross for their blood supply.

Dr. Walter Kelley, medical director for the Rocky Mountain Division of the American Red Cross, said the only way to receive blood for transfusions is through donations and the generosity of others.

"Any of us – our friends, family, neighbors – could one day need a transfusion. Yet, in the U.S., where 62% of the population is eligible to give, only about 3% does," he said.

National Blood Donor Month is celebrated in January to encourage more blood and platelet donations since it is often a time when the blood supply is low due to winter weather and seasonal illnesses.

As part of the celebration, the Red Cross teamed up with the National Football League for the fifth year in a row to offer a trip for two to the Super Bowl, including pre-game activities, airfare, expenses and three nights in a hotel. Everyone who donates blood during the month of January will be entered into the drawing automatically.

John Bates and others donate blood at the American Red Cross Murray location on Monday.
John Bates and others donate blood at the American Red Cross Murray location on Monday. (Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)

Smauldon said sometimes people get frustrated when donation centers are not accepting walk-in appointments — but that does not mean there isn't a need, just that staff at one blood drive is overwhelmed.

He encouraged people to set appointments to donate at redcrossblood.org, and said often a blood drive can be found nearby.

Red Cross Utah also has three donor stations in Lehi, Murray and Layton.

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Emily Ashcraft is a reporter for KSL.com. She covers issues in state courts, health and religion. In her spare time, Emily enjoys crafting, cycling and raising chickens.
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