WATSONVILLE — This year’s severe influenza season is wreaking havoc, keeping legions of children home from school and adults from work, but it is also having another effect.
It is also forcing people to cancel their blood donation appointments, bringing emergency blood supplies to critically low levels.
More than 550 blood drives have been canceled nationwide due to flu cases and winter weather in January, causing more than 16,500 blood and platelet donations to go uncollected through last week, according to the American Red Cross.
“Blood and platelet donations are currently being distributed to hospitals faster than they are coming in,” said Clifford Numark, senior vice president, Red Cross Blood Services. “Donors are critically needed to restock the shelves for patients in their community as well as areas where donors are unable to give due to inclement weather.”
The lack of donors was not apparent in the community room at Pajaro Valley Health Trust on Monday, where dozens of people were waiting to donate blood, and where volunteers reported that appointments were nearly booked.
Aptos resident Gary Williamson said he has been donating blood for “many years.”
“It’s an easy way to contribute,” he said after he made his donation. “It seemed like a good thing to do.”
Ed Perez and his wife Jennifer came in Monday from Aromas to donate blood.
He said he has donated “many gallons.”
“I don’t keep count, really,” he said. “I just like to donate because it’s a way to help others.”
Every day, the Red Cross must collect more than 13,000 blood and platelet donations to meet the needs of patients like Finnegan “Finn” Olson.
Finn was born last January with a rare heart condition. He required multiple transfusions before, during and after heart transplant surgery last summer. These had an almost immediate effect on his personality and skin appearance.
“Each time Finn received a transfusion, you could see him pink up right away and have significantly more energy,” said his mother, Ali Olson. “We credit blood donation with making Finn stronger and helping keep him alive long enough to receive a new heart. Finn is living proof that blood helps save lives.”
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For information or to make an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org or call 800-RED CROSS.
All blood types are needed. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. People who are 17 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.
Another way to support the American Red Cross is to become a volunteer transportation specialist and deliver blood products to local hospitals. For information, visit rdcrss.org/driver.
Locally, the Red Cross holds a blood drive on the fourth Monday of every month, a number organizers are increasing in light of the shortage.
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Upcoming blood donation opportunities through Feb. 15
• Watsonville — Feb. 19: 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Pajaro Valley Health Trust Hall, 85 Nielson St.
• Soquel — Feb. 8: 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Soquel High School, 401 San Jose Road
• Santa Cruz — Jan. 30, Feb. 1, Feb. 21: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 220 Elk St.
• Boulder Creek — Feb. 24: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Boulder Creek Fire Department, 13230 Central Ave. (State Route 9)
• Felton — Feb. 16: 1-6 p.m., Felton Presbyterian Church, 6090 Highway 9
