Red Cross Experiencing Worst Blood Shortage in Over a Decade

The nation’s blood supply remains at one of its lowest levels in recent years. In recent weeks, blood centers across the country have reported less than a one-day’s supply of blood of certain critical blood types—a dangerously low level. If the nation’s blood supply does not stabilize soon, life-saving blood may not be available for some patients when it is needed.
Today, the country confronts new challenges as COVID-19 cases surge and winter storms threaten to further disrupt the blood supply. As these concerns compound, blood centers nationwide continue to face a decline in donor turnout, blood drive cancellations, staffing challenges and donor eligibility misinformation. Yet the need for blood remains constant.
Blood components have a short shelf life and the blood supply needs to be constantly replenished. Blood can take up to three days to be tested, processed and made available for patients, so it’s the blood already on the shelves that helps save lives in an emergency. Blood donations are needed now to avert the need to postpone potential lifesaving treatments. Some hospitals have already been forced to alter treatment for some patients or cancel some patient surgeries due to blood supply challenges.
The Monticello Community Blood Drive will be held on Friday, March 4, 2022, from 12:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m., at Zwingli United Church of Christ, 416 E. Lake Avenue.
All blood donations are now tested for COVID-19 antibodies. In most cases, there’s no blood donation deferral if you’ve received a COVID-19 vaccine and you’re symptom free and feeling well when you come to give.
<strong>An appointment is strongly recommended.</strong> To do so, please download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit http://www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code MonticelloWI, or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire found at http://www.redcrossblood.org/rapidpass is encouraged to help speed up the donation process. A blood donor card or driver’s license, or two other forms of identification, 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 have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
<strong>What is Causing the Blood Shortage Crisis?</strong>
10% overall blood donation decline since March 2020. 62% drop in college and high school blood drives due to the pandemic. Student donors accounted for ~25% of donors in 2019 accounted for just ~10% during the pandemic. Ongoing blood drive cancellations due to illness, weather-related closures and staffing limitations. Additional factors like a surge of COVID-19 cases and an active flu season may compound the already bad situation.
<strong>Supply of Critical Blood Types</strong>
The Red Cross, which supplies 40% of the nation’s blood supply, has had to limit blood product distributions to hospitals as a result of the shortage. In fact, some hospitals may not receive 1 in 4 blood products they need.
Blood cannot be manufactured or stockpiled and can only be made available through the kindness of volunteer donors. Less than a one-day supply of critical blood types in recent weeks. Please consider booking additional appointments further out due to the fact that while availability of drives may be impacted, the need for blood remains constant.