The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage. Summer is the height of trauma season, when hospitals frequently see increased demand for blood due to serious injuries and other medical emergencies. The blood supply fell nearly 25% in June. A steep decline in blood donations since the end of May has created a growing gap between supply and patient need. An emergency blood and platelet shortage declaration on July 13. Despite thousands of people who have stepped up to help, donations are still not keeping pace with hospital demand, and the situation has escalated. Extreme heat, poor air quality and widespread foodborne illnesses are contributing to lower donor turnout this summer. Emergency blood shortage status continued through July and continues into August.
Currently, Red Cross distributions to hospitals are nearly 3,500 units higher per week than expected. Blood is needed every two seconds for trauma, cancer treatment, surgery and other medical emergencies. Many hospitals are being forced to triage critical blood products due to the blood shortage, possibly delaying elective procedures in order to have blood available for emergency situations.
As the nation’s single largest blood services provider, we strive to ensure blood products are available for all patients no matter where or when they need them. The Red Cross operates about 500 blood drives every day — most of which are hosted by generous volunteer organizations. It’s important to remember that blood is perishable and cannot be stockpiled in advance. The Red Cross’ blood supply can only be replenished when generous volunteers roll up their sleeve to give.
Blood donors are urgently needed to give now to help ensure patients receive lifesaving medical care without delay. The shortage is especially serious for types O positive and B negative blood. The supply of type O positive blood has now fallen below a one-day supply. Type O blood, known as the ‘universal’ type, is what doctors turn to first in an emergency, when there isn’t time to determine a patient’s blood type. Nearly half of the U.S. population has type O blood and can help immediately.
There’s also an emergency platelet shortage. Nearly half of all platelet transfusions are given to patients battling cancer. Without platelets, many lifesaving cancer treatments must be delayed
Those who come to give between now and Monday, Aug. 31, will receive a $20 Amazon Gift Card by email. Visit RedCrossBlood.org/August for details.
On Thursday, Aug. 20, the Sedona United Methodist Church will be hosting their first American Red Cross blood drive. The drive will run in ‘The New Room’ from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 110 Indian Cliffs Road in the Chapel area, south of Sedona proper, on the corner of Route 179 and Indian Cliffs Road. All donors at this drive are eligible for the $20 Amazon e-gift card offer.
“As our congregation continues to grow and deepen our commitment to serving the wider community, we are excited to begin what we hope will become a longstanding partnership with the Red Cross,” Rev. Elizabeth LeMaster said. “At Sedona United Methodist Church, we believe faith is expressed through loving and serving our neighbors. Our congregation is in an exciting season of revitalization centered on community engagement. Hosting a blood drive is a tangible way to care for our community and help save lives. As an inclusive congregation committed to compassion, justice, and service, we are grateful to offer our campus as a place where people can come together to make a meaningful difference for those in need.
“We are committed to opening our campus to organizations and programs that strengthen the well-being of our community, and we are thrilled to welcome the American Red Cross as one of those partners. We hope this blood drive is the beginning of a lasting tradition of service at Sedona United Methodist Church. We look forward to building this partnership and exploring additional opportunities to serve our community together in the future.”
First-time blood donors are welcome at every Red Cross blood drive. It is highly encouraged to make an appointment to donate at redcrossblood.org, on the blood donor app or by calling 800-733-2767. If you are not able to make it to this drive, consider making an appointment to donate at one of the other upcoming drives.
To make the donation process even faster, Red Cross also recommend that donors complete the RapidPass pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, the day of donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. Access RapidPass from the home screen of the Blood Donor App or follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass.
Contact janet.dubiel@redcross.org for more information about blood donations.
Upcoming drives in Verde Valley:
- Wednesday, Aug. 19: Sedona Elks Lodge No. 2291
- Thursday, Aug. 20: Saint Thomas Episcopal Church in Clarkdale
- Thursday, Aug. 20: Sedona United Methodist Church in the Chapel area
- Thursday, Sept. 10: Church of the Nazarene in the Village of Oak Creek
- Thursday, Sept. 24: Sedona Winds Assisted Living in the Village of Oak Creek
- Friday, Sept. 25: Community Library Sedona’s West Sedona branch
