The American Red Cross immediately sounded the alarm about the “emergency” lack of blood donations that could mean “life and death” for patients.
Donations have reached an alarming 20-year low with a 40% drop in donations, according to the Red Cross, the country’s largest blood supplier.
“Someone needs life-saving blood every two seconds in our country — and its availability can be the difference between life and death; however, blood is only available thanks to the generosity of those who roll up their sleeves to donate,” said Dr. Pampee Young, chief medical officer of the Red Cross, in a statement.
Again this year, the organization also partnered with the National Football League to give away two Super Bowl LVIII tickets in Las Vegas as a way to get more volunteers to pick up needles.
In the blood donation crisis
The Red Cross is desperate to increase blood donations as the country faces severe shortages. MediaNews Group via Getty Images
The Red Cross says between Christmas and New Year alone there is a shortage of 7,000 units of blood donations.
“To put the numbers in perspective, we need an additional 8,000 donations per week in January to meet current hospital needs,” Dr. Eric Gehrie, the Red Cross’ medical director, told ABC News.
“There is more need for blood in hospitals than we can provide at the current level of donations, and this is a really … long-term issue.”
The low numbers are likely related to a spike in respiratory illnesses — such as COVID-19 and the flu — common in winter, according to the nonprofit. The organization also blames the growth of remote work as an invisible and unthinkable factor for people who don’t attend blood drives as well.
Experts say several factors contribute to the extremely low number of blood donations. Getty Images
This deficiency has a strong negative effect on pediatric patients as well. Children use about 652,000 blood components a year, according to the American Blood Center.
“Hospital floors are full of kids who need that blood and otherwise wouldn’t be able to survive without it,” Ivy Ward, whose 9-year-old son Finn has been battling B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia since 2021, told Red Cross.
“Just in the last two years, he has received more than 25 blood products and he is only a child … Without the donated blood products, Finn would not be here today,” he added.
One blood donation can be used to help multiple patients. MediaNews Group via Getty Images
A quarter of donations – only three percent of the eligible population – are used for cancer patients, according to the American Blood Center, which also states that one donation can help two more patients in need.
“Survival rates for many cancers and blood diseases are improving, but extended transfusions are often required during their therapy,” according to Dr. Glenn E. Ramsey, medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Blood Bank.
“Advances in medical care over the years have also increased the need for blood for the treatment of many diseases.”
How to win Super Bowl tickets with a blood donation
The Red Cross is offering free Super Bowl tickets as an incentive to donate blood. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Until the end of January, Red Cross donations of blood, plasma or platelets will automatically register the donor into the draw for February’s big match.
The sweet deal includes round-trip airfare for two, a three-night hotel stay from Feb. 9 to 12 and a $1,000 gift card — plus access to a state-of-the-art Las Vegas Raiders pre-game celebration. Allegiant Stadium.
“If everyone does their part together and we collectively as a community commit to donating blood, we too can muster more victories,” said NFL legend Peyton Manning, who has partnered with the Red Cross.
“One person certainly makes an impact, but a whole team of people coming together to donate has a bigger impact.”
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