By: Abbie Hunt

Looking back at the blood collection efforts of the American Red Cross North Texas Region, the region faced several challenges in 2022. Through it all, the resilience of blood donors, volunteers and employees helped the region meet every obstacle head on to help ensure North Texans, and patients across the country, had access to lifesaving blood.

By year’s end, the region collected more than 37,000 units of blood. The region was also able to increase its collection of platelets in 2022 compared to the previous year. However, it wasn’t an easy road getting these valuable units.

The year got off to a tumultuous start, with the Red Cross issuing its first-ever blood crisis in January as on-hand supplies of blood across the country dropped to critical levels. In North Texas, generous donors rolled up their sleeves and donated more than 3,600 units of blood, helping the region and nation overcome the crisis by the end of February.

As the year wore on, the blood donors continued to charitably give, supporting a healthy and diverse blood supply. However, the region faced another challenge in late December. A historic and deadly cold front moved in, spanning nearly the entire continental United States, causing more than 6,500 blood and platelet donations to go uncollected nationally.

Mobile blood drives were a pivotal resource for life-saving blood donations throughout the year, helping the region overcome these challenges. By year’s end, there were 1,700 mobile drives held across the region. Aiding platelet collection efforts were the organization’s blood donation centers in Plano and Irving. An expansion of platelet collection capabilities in 2023 should further encourage platelet donations.

With the likelihood of more weather-related disasters and everyday emergencies in 2023, blood donors are crucial to patients in need. Blood donors are vital to our health care system, and during emergencies and crises, the need for blood is greater than ever.

January is National Blood Donor Month. Start the year off right by resolving to becoming a regular blood donor in 2023. Every blood donation can save a life. Visit redcrossblood.org to find a blood drive near you.