The following statement has been issued by AABB, America’s Blood Centers and the American Red Cross regarding the status of the nation’s blood supply:
Dec. 10, 2020 – The country’s supply of COVID-19 convalescent plasma is depleting amid surging COVID-19 cases across the U.S. With convalescent plasma demand outpacing donations from individuals recovered from COVID-19 by more than 7,000 units in November, the availability of plasma to meet patient need is of increasing concern. Convalescent plasma is needed to ensure health care providers have all the treatment options available for patients battling COVID-19.
AABB, America’s Blood Centers, and the American Red Cross are joining together to urge individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 to make and keep an appointment to donate plasma now. Convalescent plasma can only be collected from individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 and is currently being used as a treatment option for patients who have been hospitalized with COVID-19. While additional treatments for COVID-19 are evolving, plasma from survivors has become a vital therapeutic option for patients battling the virus.
As COVID-19 cases throughout the country have risen, demand for plasma has exceeded collections by between 1,000 and 1,500 units per day over the past month. As of Dec. 9, 2020, there are approximately 100,000 Americans hospitalized with COVID-19. Experts are predicting this number will continue to increase throughout the next few weeks and with few therapeutic options for COVID-19, many of these patients may need convalescent plasma. Donations of plasma from those recovered from COVID-19 are urgently needed today and throughout the holiday season to ensure an adequate supply is available for patients in need now and throughout the winter.
Please contact one of the following organizations to find a local blood collection site and to schedule an appointment to donate:
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.