Blood in short supply as coronavirus fears cancel blood drives, discourage donors
A steep drop in blood donations because of the coronavirus is creating a shortage of blood in North Carolina and nationwide, according to the American Red Cross.
Since last week, 49 Red Cross blood drives have been canceled in Eastern North Carolina, as schools, colleges and employers shut down or forgo events to minimize personal interactions. Those drives were expected to generate 1,800 donations, according to spokeswoman Maya Franklin.
The Blood Connection, which collects donations in North and South Carolina, has received 8,500 fewer units than expected since March 1 because of canceled drives and fewer visitors to its donation centers, said spokeswoman Allie Van Dyke.
“We are in much worse shape than we were last week,” Van Dyke wrote in an email Tuesday. “Our blood drive cancellations have skyrocketed.”
“We really, really need people to donate blood,” she added.
The decline in donations has been swift. A week ago Monday, the Red Cross reported that 28 blood drives had been canceled nationwide as a result of coronavirus. By Tuesday of this week, that number had reached nearly 2,700, resulting in an estimated 86,000 fewer donations than expected, Franklin said.
Those blood drives account for about 80% of blood the Red Cross collects, with donors at blood centers providing the rest. The agency says it provides about 40% of the nation’s blood supply.
Both The Blood Connection and the Red Cross are encouraging healthy people to donate. They’re taking steps to keep donation centers clean and sanitized and screen staff and potential donors before they enter. They are also enforcing “social distancing” by keeping donors apart.
“In our experience, the American public comes together to support those in need during times of shortage, and that support is needed now more than ever during this unprecedented public health crisis,” Chris Hrouda, the president Red Cross Biomedical Services, said in a statement.
“Unfortunately, when people stop donating blood, it forces doctors to make hard choices about patient care,” Hrouda continued, “which is why we need those who are healthy and well to roll up a sleeve and give the gift of life.”
For more information about donating blood, go to thebloodconnection.org or www.redcrossblood.org.
This story was originally published March 17, 2020 at 1:21 PM with the headline "Blood in short supply as coronavirus fears cancel blood drives, discourage donors."
