Benefits of Donating Blood Explained
In an unprecedented crisis, the American Red Cross is urgently seeking blood donors to address a severe blood shortage that has been exacerbated by seasonal factors and ongoing emergencies. The shortage, which threatens the Red Cross's ability to meet the urgent needs of patients requiring transfusions, has become a matter of national importance.
The late summer and early fall period typically see a drop in donations due to travel, stress, and school preparations. Simultaneously, the demand for blood rises, driven by trauma cases, cancer patients, and childbirth complications. Hurricane-related disruptions further compound the problem by cancelling donation drives and straining resources.
To counteract these challenges, the Red Cross is offering incentives such as gift cards and free health screenings to encourage more donors. A recent partnership between the Red Cross and the Armed Services Blood Program underscores the critical nature of maintaining a strong blood supply, not just for civilian use, but also to support military personnel.
Each blood donation becomes vital in maintaining the blood supply during this critical shortage period. Platelets, a crucial component of blood, can only be stored for 5-7 days, making constant refreshment necessary to maintain hospital stockpiles. In the most extreme trauma cases, a single patient could need 60 liters of blood or more.
Blood transfusions are essential for patients with cancer, autoimmune disorders, and other chronic illnesses. On average, trauma patients with major bleeding require at least 16 liters of replacement blood, and the replacement of blood is just as critical as surgical repair for trauma patients. The need for blood donations for cancer patients has increased due to more aggressive treatments becoming available.
In light of these circumstances, donating blood supports both emergency and ongoing medical needs, ensuring hospitals can provide lifesaving treatments during this critical shortage period. Your act of donation could be the difference between life and death for someone in need.
References:
[1] American Red Cross. (2021). Blood shortage continues as summer travel, hurricane season disrupt donations. Retrieved from https://www.redcrossblood.org/press-center/news-archive/2021/august/20/blood-shortage-continues-as-summer-travel-hurricane-season-disrupt-donations.html
[2] American Red Cross. (2021). Red Cross and Armed Services Blood Program announce partnership to strengthen national blood supply. Retrieved from https://www.redcrossblood.org/press-center/news-archive/2021/june/24/red-cross-and-armed-services-blood-program-announce-partnership-to-strengthen-national-blood-supply.html
[3] American Red Cross. (2021). Why is blood donation important? Retrieved from https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/blood-donation-process/why-donate-blood.html
The ongoing blood shortage, exacerbated by seasonal factors, emergencies, and increased demand for blood due to medical-conditions such as cancer, trauma cases, and childbirth complications, highlights the essential role of blood donations in health-and-wellness. Each donation supports emergency treatment and ongoing medical needs, making a potentially life-saving difference for patients with cancer, autoimmune disorders, and other chronic illnesses.
