Media contact: Keith Paul
Regional Communications Director
keith.paul@redcross.org | 702-400-7680
LAS VEGAS (Sept. 3, 2023) — Today marks the start of National Blood Collectors Week, Sept 3-9, and the American Red Cross of Southern Nevada is honoring the dedicated team of local nurses, phlebotomists, donor recruiters and volunteers who play a critical role in helping ensure lifesaving blood is available to patients in need. The 18th annual event was designed to recognize the many groups and individuals who play a vital role in every aspect of health care by ensuring the safe supply of blood.
“These health care professionals and volunteers are a crucial link between our generous blood donors and the recipients who rely on these lifesaving transfusions,” said Dr. Walter Kelley, Medical Director for the Rocky Mountain Division of the American Red Cross. “These trusted health care workers help ensure the safety, integrity and availability of our blood supply.”
National Blood Collectors Week comes at a critical time as the nation’s blood supply continues to decline after a summer-long donation slump, compounded by 15 major weather-related disasters this year that led to the cancellation of hundreds of blood drives, leaving thousands of potential blood donations uncollected. “Blood donation is vital to patient care, and the challenge of maintaining our nation’s blood supply has been more difficult with the increasing number of disasters,” Rachel Flanigan, Executive Director of the American Red Cross, Southern Nevada Chapter. “Those of us living in an area not affected by these disasters can be a lifeline to those in need by donating blood.”
Dedicated health care professionals
The Red Cross as more than 5,500 blood and platelet connections team members who work at blood drives and donations centers across the country. In addition, there are many volunteers supporting blood drives and donation centers. When the blood donations have been processed, another group of volunteers deliver the transfusable blood to local hospitals. “We depend on our dedicated volunteers as well as our nurses and phlebotomists to care for our donors and get the needed blood to patients,” Flanigan said.
The Red Cross plays a significant role in sustaining the country's blood supply, contributing about 40% of all collected blood. To meet the needs of patients undergoing medical procedures and treatments at over 2,500 hospitals and transfusion centers, the Red Cross must collect 12,500 blood and 3,000 platelet donations every day. “Our teams of staff and volunteers collect more than 5.5 million blood and platelet donations every year nationwide,” Dr. Kelley said. “I applaud their dedication to donor and patient health and safety.”
Help prevent a looming blood shortage
Blood is unique in the health care system because it cannot be produced synthetically. The only way patients can get the transfusable blood they need is through donations. “We rely on the generosity of others to give blood so that it's available when needed. Despite 62% of the population being eligible to donate, only about 3% does,” Dr. Kelley said. Donors can make an appointment using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, by visiting redcrossblood.org, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
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 visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.