WATSONVILLE — A donation shortfall over the winter holidays is prompting the American Red Cross to issue an emergency call for blood and platelet donors to give now to prevent a blood shortage.
According to the Red Cross, the organization collected more than 27,000 fewer blood and platelet donations the weeks of Christmas and New Year’s than needed to sustain a sufficient blood supply. During this period, about 1,350 fewer blood drives were hosted by volunteer sponsor groups than required to meet patient needs as busy holiday schedules kept many donors away.
“Many people may not realize that blood products are perishable, and the only source of lifesaving blood for patients is volunteer blood donors,” said Cliff Numark, senior vice president of Red Cross Biomedical Services. “When donations decline — as they did around the holidays and may further decline if severe winter weather and flu season pick up — lifesaving medical treatments could be delayed.”
Right now, the Red Cross has less than a three-day supply of most blood types on hand, well below the ideal five-day supply needed to respond to emergencies and daily hospital needs. Blood products are currently being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in.
“We hope people can resolve to save lives now — when there is an emergency need — as well as throughout the year,” Numark said.
All eligible donors, especially platelet donors and blood donors with type O blood, are urged to make an appointment to give in the coming days to help restock the shelves for hospital patients. Eligible donors can find a blood or platelet donation opportunity and schedule an appointment to donate by using the Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Three blood drives are scheduled in Watsonville:
• Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Pajaro Valley Community Health Trust Hall, 85 Nielson St.
• Jan. 30, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the County of Santa Cruz Health Services Agency, 1430 Freedom Blvd.
• Feb. 16 ,9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Watsonville Municipal Airport Experimental Aircraft Association hangar, 60 Aviation Way
