New effects of pandemic leading to significant drop in nation’s blood supply
SALT LAKE CITY (June 15, 2021) — The American Red Cross is experiencing a severe blood shortage as the number of trauma cases, organ transplants and elective surgeries rise – and deplete the nation’s blood inventory. Donors of all blood types – especially type O and those giving platelets – are urged to make an appointment to give as soon as possible to prevent further impact to patients.
Right now, hospitals are responding to an atypically high number of traumas and emergency room visits, as well as overdoses and resulting transplants. In comparison to 2019, the Red Cross has seen demand from trauma centers climb by 10% in 2021−more than five times the growth of other facilities that provide blood transfusions.
“When seconds count in emergency trauma situations, it’s the blood already on the shelves that can make the difference in lifesaving care,” said Heidi Ruster, C.E.O., of Red Cross Utah/Nevada Region. “As many people begin to enjoy travel and time with loved ones again this summer, patients are relying on the generosity of donors to help ensure they have access to the treatment they need. Please consider blood donation as a summer activity that can help save lives.”
Patients need the help of the American people. Schedule an appointment to give blood now by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED
CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.
In addition to trauma needs, there is a great hospital demand for blood as people who deferred care during the height of the pandemic present with more advanced disease progression, requiring increased blood transfusions. Over the last three months, the Red Cross has distributed about 75,000 more blood products than expected to meet these needs. As a result of this shortage, some hospitals are being forced to slow the pace of elective surgeries until the blood supply stabilizes. Blood is perishable and cannot be stockpiled, so it must constantly be replenished by generous blood donors.
Donors are urged to make an appointment to give blood or platelets now. As a thank-you, those who come to give now through June 30 will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email, courtesy of Amazon. (Restrictions apply. Additional information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.)
In most cases, those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine can donate. However, knowing the name of the manufacturer of the vaccine they received is important in determining donation eligibility.
Final weeks for COVID-19 antibody testing
As more than a third of Americans have become fully
vaccinated against COVID-19, the Red Cross is winding down COVID-19 antibody testing for blood, platelet and plasma donations.
Through June 25, the Red Cross is testing all donations for COVID-19 antibodies. Testing may show possible exposure to the virus or whether a donor has developed an immune response to vaccination. The conclusion of Red Cross antibody testing represents a new, hopeful phase as the nation continues to journey out of this pandemic.
World Sickle Cell Day: June 19
June 19 is World Sickle Cell Day, an important day for the more than 100,000 individuals with sickle cell disease in the U.S. Most people with this disease are of African descent and will require regular blood transfusions to help manage their disease. Some individuals with sickle cell disease may require as many as 100 units of blood per year.
The Red Cross is screening all blood, platelet and plasma donations from self-identified African American donors for the sickle cell trait. This additional screening will provide Black donors with an additional health insight and help the Red Cross identify compatible blood types more quickly to help patients with sickle cell disease. Since the best blood match for a patient receiving ongoing transfusions comes from donors of the same genetic background, the Red Cross encourages people of all ethnicities to give blood and help increase the number of diverse donors so we can find the best match for all patients.
Donors can expect to receive antibody test and sickle cell trait screening results, if applicable, within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App and the online donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities June 15-30
Davis
Bountiful
6/17/2021:
3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Bountiful South Stake, 1250 South Main
6/21/2021:
12:30 p.m. - 5 p.m., Lakeview Hospital, 630 East Medical Drive
6/23/2021:
11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Intermountain Bountiful, 390 North Main St.
6/24/2021:
3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Bountiful North Stake, 1500 North 400 East
Clearfield
6/28/2021:
10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Clearfield City Offices, 55 South State
Hill AFB
6/30/2021:
11 a.m. - 5 p.m., 2AVS, 5837 D Ave Bldg
150
6/18/2021:
8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Hill Air Force Base, 5711 E Ave, Base Chapel, Building
445
Layton
6/16/2021:
1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Intermountain Layton Hospital, 201 W Layton Pkwy
6/17/2021:
3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Layton Utah Kays Creek Stake, 2680 E. Cherry Lane
Salt Lake
Bluffdale
6/17/2021:
2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Bluffdale Utah Stake, 2742 W. 14400 S.
Draper
6/23/2021:
10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Draper City, 1020 East Pioneer Road
Herriman
6/29/2021:
2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Copperwood Apartment Homes, 5657 Barns Rd
Kearns
6/24/2021:
3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Kearns Utah South Stake, 5905 South 4000 West
Midvale
6/14/2021:
10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Topgolf, 920 Jordan River Blvd
6/22/2021:
10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Savage Services, 901 Legacy Center Way
Murray
6/17/2021:
1:30 p.m. - 8 p.m., Murray Utah North Stake Center, 5200 S. Glendon St.
6/22/2021:
2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Salt Lake Millcreek Stake, 4220 S 420 E
Salt Lake City
6/15/2021:
9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Salt Lake Community College (Redwood Campus), 4600 S. Redwood
Road
6/15/2021:
9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., EnerBank USA, 1245 Brickyard Road
6/15/2021:
10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., St. Marks Hospital, 1200 East 3900 South, South Parking
Lot
6/16/2021:
9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Utah State Capitol, Utah State Capitol Building, State Street
6/16/2021:
9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Smith Power Products, 3065 West California Ave
6/16/2021:
10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., St. Marks Hospital, 1200 East 3900 South, South Parking
Lot
6/18/2021:
2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Salt Lake Little Cottonwood Stake, 1160 East Vine Street
6/21/2021:
9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Intermountain Healthcare, 36 South State
6/22/2021:
9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Salt Lake International Airport, 3920 W Terminal Drive
6/25/2021:
2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Saint Vincent de Paul Church, 1375 East Spring Lane
6/26/2021:
9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Salt Lake Ensign Stake, 135 A Street
6/28/2021:
1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Friends & Family of ARC, SLC, 6616 South 900 East
6/28/2021:
1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Wasatch Mountain Club, 6616 S. 900 E.
6/28/2021:
2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Taylorsville Young Single Adult Stake, 4845 S. 1365 W., Woodhaven Drive
Sandy
6/29/2021:
1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Sandy Library, 10100 Petunia Way
South Jordan
6/14/2021:
1:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Daybreak Community Council, 4544 W. Harvest Moon Drive
West Jordan
6/14/2021:
9 a.m. - 3 p.m., SME Industries, Inc., 5801 West Wells Park Road
6/14/2021:
10 a.m. - 4 p.m., EXIT Realty Success - West Jordan, 1231 W 9000 S
6/14/2021:
12 p.m. - 6 p.m., West Jordan City Hall, 8000 South Redwood Road
6/18/2021:
2 p.m. - 8 p.m., West Jordan Copper Hills Stake, 5176 West Parr Drive
6/23/2021:
2 p.m. - 8 p.m., West Jordan Utah Sunset Ridge Stake, 8834 South Duck Ridge Way
6/24/2021:
3 p.m. - 8 p.m., West Jordan Utah River Stake Center, 1380 West 6785 South
6/25/2021:
9 a.m. - 3 p.m., West Jordan Senior Center, West Jordan Active Aging Center,
8025 S 2200 W
West
Valley City
6/21/2021:
9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Fetzer's, Inc., 6223 W. Double Eagle Circle
6/23/2021:
2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Salt Lake Jordan Stake-LSL, 3676 W 4700 S.
6/28/2021:
12 p.m. - 5 p.m., University of Utah Intensive Outpatient C, 2830 S. Redwood Road Suite C
Utah
Alpine
6/15/2021:
1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Alpine Utah West Stake, 327
Long Drive
6/17/2021:
1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Alpine North Stake, 1125 East Alpine Blvd
American Fork
6/15/2021:
10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Simplify Home Loans, 12361 South 820 East, #200
6/16/2021:
1 p.m. - 7 p.m., American Fork Utah South Stake, 507 West 700 North
6/22/2021:
10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Simplify Home Loans, 12361 South 820 East, #200
6/23/2021:
2 p.m. - 8 p.m., American Fork Stake, 381 South 300 East
Elk Ridge
6/18/2021:
1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Elk Ridge Utah Stake, 259 East Alpine Drive
Highland
6/17/2021:
2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Highland South Stake, 6722 West 10400 North
6/26/2021:
8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Highland Utah Central Stake, 10962 North 6400 West
Lehi
6/15/2021:
1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Lehi South Stake, 600 South 500 West
6/21/2021:
9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Podium, 1650 W. Digital Way
Lindon
6/17/2021:
3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Lindon Central Stake, 731 East Center
6/24/2021:
2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Lindon Utah Stake, 1051 E. 200 S.
Mapleton
6/18/2021:
1:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Mapleton West Stake, 31 West Maple
Orem
6/24/2021:
11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Moxtek, 452 West 1260 West
6/24/2021:
3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Orem Lakeridge Stake, 158 East 1100 South
6/25/2021:
10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Utah Valley University, 800 West University Parkway, Mail
Stop 197
6/25/2021:
2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Orem Hillcrest Stake, 1450 South 800 East
Payson
6/29/2021:
2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Payson West Stake Center, 435 South 800 West
Pleasant Grove
6/17/2021:
1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Pleasant Grove Timpanogos Stake, 800 North 100 West
Provo
6/15/2021:
12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Wilkinson Center, Wilkinson Center, BYU Campus
6/21/2021:
12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Wilkinson Center, Wilkinson Center, BYU Campus
6/21/2021:
2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Provo Utah Young Single Adult 16th Stake, 352 N. 900 E.
6/21/2021:
2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Provo Utah Young Single Adult 3rd Stake, 395 e 600 n
6/29/2021:
12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Wilkinson Center, Wilkinson Center, BYU Campus
6/30/2021:
11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Provo Recreation Center, 320 West 500 North
Saratoga Springs
6/14/2021:
2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Saratoga Springs Utah Saratoga Hills Stake, 1178 S. Pondside Drive
Spanish Fork
6/24/2021:
1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Spanish Fork Utah Maple Mountain Stake, 761 East 400 North
Springville
6/30/2021:
2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Springville Utah Stake, 245 S. 600 E.
Weber
Hooper
6/23/2021:
3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Hooper Stake, 5601 South 6100 West
North Ogden
6/17/2021:
2 p.m. - 8 p.m., North Ogden Coldwater Stake, 770 East 2100 North
Ogden
6/22/2021:
10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., McKay-Dee Hospital, 4401 South Harrison Blvd.
6/22/2021:
10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Wasatch Peaks Credit Union, 4723 Harrison Boulevard
6/23/2021:
10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Weber-Morgan Health Department, 477 23rd Street
6/25/2021:
2 p.m. - 8 p.m., St. James Catholic Church, Ogden, 495 North Harrison Blvd.
Roy
6/25/2021:
2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Roy Utah North Stake, 3845 South 2000 West
Blood drive safety
The Red Cross has updated its pandemic safety protocols in alignment with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Fully vaccinated individuals, including staff and donors, no longer need to wear masks or socially distance. Unvaccinated individuals continue to be required to wear masks and socially distance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive.
Don’t wait to give
Donors can also save up to 15 minutes at the blood drive by completing a RapidPass®. With RapidPass®, donors complete the pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of donation, from a mobile device or computer. To complete a RapidPass®, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App.
To donate blood, individuals need to bring a blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification that are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also must meet certain height and weight requirements.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
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