National Blood Donor Month: Blood supply at lowest level in over a year, incentives available
As local organizations support National Blood Donor Month with various blood drives, medical professionals are stressing the need for donors to step forward and potentially save lives.
According to the nonprofit blood service provider Vitalant, over 900 hospitals across the nation are reporting that they are at the lowest levels of blood supplies in over a year, including locations within the Allegheny Health Network and UPMC Network of hospitals. This is triggering a "blood emergency" for many donation centers, emphasizing the need for all blood types and creating a call for all donors to step forward.
One of the reasons for this shortage is the shift to remote work, which has been linked to a 50% reduction in business-hosted blood drives. Since the shift to remote working during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, Vitalant has recorded a decrease of 90,000 donors by the end of 2022. This matches an overall lack of donors, with the company reporting a 20% decrease in the number of donors over the last three year.
“New donors and those who haven’t donated recently are critical to helping end this shortage. Patient needs continue but societal shifts have kept blood donations from rebounding to pre-pandemic levels,” said Cliff Numark, Vitalant senior vice president. “Starting the new year by scheduling a blood donation can make an incredible impact in your community.”
All blood types are needed at the moment, but a special emphasis is being placed on the need for Type O blood types and platelets. Type O-positive is the most used blood type in hospitals and Type O-negative can help patients of any blood type recover. Platelets, which are helpful in the treatment of cancer patients, must be used in a week and are in constant demand.
Football-themed incentives available for donors
To encourage blood donations across the region, both Vitalant and the American Red Cross are offering donors a chance to win tickets to major football games.
Until Jan. 20, donors at Vitalant's blood draw sites will be entered into the nonprofit's "Big Trip to the Big Game" package, which will earn one lucky donor a luxury trip to Scottsdale, Ariz., for the football match between Stanford University and the University of California. The package includes accommodations for two at a luxury hotel, two tickets to the fan experience and tailgate party at the game, a commemorative gift package, pre-trip concierge services and a $2,000 gift card for any additional travel expenses.
Donors who book appointments at Red Cross draw sites throughout January will be entered into a drawing for tickets to Super Bowl LVII in Arizona, offering the winner a trip for two to the Super Bowl Experience. Included in the package is game-day activities at the stadium, round-trip air fair to Phoenix, three-night hotel accommodations and a $500 gift card for other expenses.
This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Blood supply at lowest level of year, Red Cross offering incentives
