SIKESTON — The American Red Cross is facing an emergency blood shortage after a significant shortfall in blood donations during the Fourth of July holiday week and ongoing challenges finding new blood donors.
“The Red Cross is urging eligible individuals to give now to help avoid delays in lifesaving medical care for patients this summer,” said Tara Lincoln, donor recruitment representative for the American Red Cross in Cape Girardeau.
With fewer blood donors and fewer blood drives during the Independence Day holiday week as individuals across the country enjoyed vacations, the Red Cross now has an emergency need for blood donors to help ensure hospital needs are met, Lincoln said in a press release.
More than 450 fewer blood drives were held the week of July Fourth than an average week, which led to about 17,000 fewer blood donations than needed for patients.
“Right now, the Red Cross has less than a three-day supply of most blood types available – and less than a two-day supply of type O blood,” she said.
Blood donations are currently being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in.
More donations are needed now to replenish the blood supply.
“The Red Cross strives to keep a five-day supply on hand at all times to meet the needs of patients every day and be prepared for emergencies that would require significant volumes of donated blood products,” Lincoln said.
Blood transfusion is the fourth most common inpatient hospital procedure in the U.S., and these blood products can only come from volunteer donors. Yet, only 3 out of 100 people in the U.S. give blood. Unlike many other lifesaving medical treatments, blood donations cannot be stockpiled.
Red blood cells have a shelf-life of only 42 days and platelets just five days.
Type O negative is the universal blood type and what emergency room personnel reach for when there is no time to determine the blood type of patients in the most serious situations.
Type O positive is the most common blood type and can be transfused to Rh-positive patients of any blood type.
Locally, Red Cross blood drives are scheduled as follows: July 22: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pemiscot County Department of Social Services in Caruthersville; 3 p.m. to 7p.m. at Saint Francis Health Center in Dexter; July 23: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Hayti Community Center; 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Hunter Memorial Presbyterian Church in Sikeston; July 25: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at SEMO Electric in Sikeston; July 26: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Bank of Advance in Advance; July 29: 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Charleston; and July 30: 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Front Porch Banquet Center in Scott City; and from 11a.m. to 3 p.m. at US Bank in Dexter.