Media contact: Sarah Martin
Regional Communications Manager
sarah.martin5@redcross.org | 951-432-9625

SALT LAKE CITY (Sept. 7, 2024) – Today concludes the week-long National Blood Collectors Week—The American Red Cross of Utah is eager to honor our dedicated blood collection team of phlebotomists and lab technicians who play a critical role in helping ensure life-saving blood is available to patients. The 19th 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.

As a key contributor to the nation’s blood inventory, the American Red Cross collections team takes in and processes around 40% of all collected blood, supporting over 2,500 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide. To meet patients’ needs, the Red Cross must collect about 12,500 blood and 3,000 platelet donations daily. In Utah, nearly 45 hospitals rely on the Red Cross for their blood supply.

“The professionalism of our collections team is vital to the safety of our blood supply and we are deeply grateful for their work and dedication,” said Jeremiah Lafranca, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter. “But we also want to thank them for their kindness and care for our donors. For some, blood donation can be a little scary, but our phlebotomists are there with a smile and a gentle touch to help people donate as comfortably as possible.”

Help end the Emergency Blood Shortage
As the American Red Cross continues to face a national blood shortage, severe weather such as Hurricane Debby continue to cancel blood drives, frustrating efforts to rebuild the nation’s blood supply. Since July, extreme heat and other factors have led to nearly 20,000 uncollected units of blood nationwide, at a time when donations are not keeping pace with hospital demand.

Donors can easily schedule an appointment through the Red Cross Blood Donor App, by visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). As a token of appreciation, all donors visiting between Sept. 1-15 will receive an exclusive Red Cross raglan T-shirt, while supplies last. All who come to give blood Sept. 16-30 will get a $15 e-gift card to their merchant of choice. Visit RedCrossBlood.org/Fall for details.

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.

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