SALT LAKE CITY — Summer is a hard time of year for the blood supply, and the American Red Cross is asking for more donations after the national blood supply has fallen 25%.
Blood cannot be stored indefinitely, and donations are needed soon to make sure hospitals have blood available for their patients, Heidi Ruster, CEO of the American Red Cross Utah and Nevada region, said
"This is one of the most difficult times of year to maintain a stable blood supply, and the sharp decline in donations has made the shortage more severe," she said.
A statement on Monday from the American Red Cross said hospital requests are outpacing the available blood supply, especially as there are fewer school blood drives during the summer. Around the country, hospitals are using nearly 3,500 more units of blood weekly than expected, partially due to injuries during summer activities.
"The shortage is especially serious for platelets and types O positive and B negative blood," the statement said, calling it an "urgent need."
O positive blood donations can be given to over 80% of people. Only 2% of people have a B negative blood type, and they can only accept B negative or O negative blood.
A majority of platelet donations are given to cancer patients, and they must be used within five days, so regular donations are critical for making sure hospitals have platelets on hand for patients. Blood donations must be used within 42 days of donation.
"Every blood donation is important to rebuilding the nation's blood supply," the statement said.
For more information on donating blood, go to redcross.org/giveblood or call 1-800-733-2767. For the rest of July, the Red Cross is offering a Fandango movie ticket as a thank-you gift for those who donate.
