NEW YORK – The New York Blood Center (NYBC) announced a blood supply shortage emergency on Monday as spring break is causing an alarming drop in blood donations over the past six weeks.
All blood types are low and type O is at a level for 1-2 days.
“A blood supply shortage emergency has been declared. Hospital demand is increasing and we need your help NOW more than ever to ensure we can meet patient needs. Please donate ASAP – it could save up to 3 lives!” the organization said.
A Blood Emergency has been declared. Hospital demand is increasing, and we need your help NOW more than ever to ensure we can meet patients’ needs. Please, donate ASAP – you could save up to 3 lives! pic.twitter.com/aJq3xvGXlx
— NY Blood Center (@NYBloodCenter) May 9, 2022
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This shortage comes amid rising COVID rates, which can be attributed to the highly contagious Omicron subvariant BA.2.12.1 that has been spreading throughout New York and surrounding areas. For example, the rate of COVID transmission in New York City has increased 32% in the last 10 days. Last Monday, the city raised its COVID alert level to medium as cases surpassed a rate of 200 per 100,000 people in all five boroughs.
Hospitals and patients rely on a steady stream of volunteer donors to receive blood donations, but the recent spike in cases and spring break travel have caused uncertainty. Low donor participation has reached historic lows. In the last 6 weeks, NYBC has seen approximately 6,000 fewer blood donors compared to earlier this year.
It only takes an hour to donate, and a single donation can save multiple lives.
About one in seven hospital admissions requires a blood transfusion. Those in need include: cancer patients, accident, burn or trauma victims, transplant recipients, surgery patients, chronically transfused patients suffering from sickle cell disease or thalassemia, and many more.
To schedule an appointment in this blood donation campaign with New York Blood Centerdonors can call 1-800-933-2566 or visit www.nybc.org.
Donate blood with the Red Cross and receive a prize
On the other hand, the Red Cross makes the same call and in thanks for helping increase the blood supply, everyone who donates by May 19, 2022 will receive a $10 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice and also will automatically be entered to win a travel trailer that sleeps eight.
Details are available at rcblood.org/camper. Those who donate May 20-31 will receive an exclusive Red Cross 20-ounce aluminum water bottle and customizable sticker set, while supplies last.
Donors can help save a life in just one hour. To make an appointment to donate blood, platelets, or plasma, download the Red Cross blood donation app, visit RedCrossBlood.org, or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification is required at time of check-in. check-in. People who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where state law allows), must weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good general health to donate blood. High school students and other donors under the age of 18 must also meet certain height and weight requirements.
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