This winter season has brought a widespread increase in respiratory infections – especially COVID, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) and influenza – contributing to a significant decline in blood donations, which have reached critical and historic lows.
“Many people have been on sick leave. [por estos virus] and it seems like it’s taking a little longer to recover, and if you’re not well, you can’t donate,” says Elise Levine, executive director of the Los Angeles Region of the American Red Cross. Between Christmas and New Year’s alone, the Red Cross experienced a shortfall in blood donations of almost 7,000 units.
To draw attention to the nationwide shortage and encourage people to donate, Senator Alex Padilla (D-California) rolled up his sleeves and donated blood at an American Red Cross center in Burbank on January 12. He offered words of encouragement for those who feel reluctant to donate.
“If you haven’t donated blood in a while, it’s time: we need you. And for people who have never donated blood before, it’s actually a lot easier than you think,” Padilla told the San Fernando Valley Sun. “If you don’t know your blood type, that shouldn’t stop you from donating blood. If you are generally in good health, you can donate blood, and every drop counts.”
Padilla, who said he regularly donates blood a couple of times a year, said he decided to donate that day in response to the current shortage, to do his part during National Blood Donor Month and because he was motivated by the legacy and the “ spirit of service” by Dr. Martin Luther King.
“Especially [este] winter – when there are high rates of flu, and we see COVID numbers increasing, RSV cases increasing – hospitals need blood,” he said. “If you ever have an accident and need blood, you want people to have donated blood. So now you have the opportunity to do your part.”
Levine said they would like to see an increase in blood donors from the Latino and African American communities, which tend to provide lower proportions of blood donations.
“There are a lot of myths and misconceptions that have been passed down generationally with no real facts behind them, but it makes some people hesitant to donate,” Levine said. Some myths include the belief that donating blood can make a person sick or cause them to gain weight.
“We want to show people that it is really safe, and that it is very useful for the community,” he says. After people donate blood in their own cities or neighborhoods, the blood goes to the nearest blood processing center and, in most cases, “goes directly back to their community.”
Overall, blood donations have decreased by 40% in the last 20 years. Historical factors that have contributed to this include the pandemic and the change in some requirements by the US Food and Drug Administration, which reduced the number of 16- to 18-year-olds who can donate.
Current challenges – in addition to the recent increase in winter illnesses and hospitalizations – include inclement weather and holiday travel and vacations, Levine explained.
“We see declines [en las donaciones de sangre] when there are important weather situations. You’re not going to go out in the middle of a blizzard. [a donar sangre]”, it states. “And most people don’t think about going to donate blood when they’re on vacation.”
Given the current shortage of donations, some hospitals and surgery centers may choose to delay elective or non-urgent surgeries to “care for people in immediate crisis,” Levine said.
“Right now, blood donations are very important, because hospitals need to have a supply of blood on hand. “If they don’t have enough blood stored, [se destina a] those who need it immediately. The need for blood is always, always there.”
Those interested in donating blood can find an American Red Cross center or make an appointment by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767), visiting the website www.RedCrossBlood.org or downloading the app Red Cross Blood Donor.
Additionally, upcoming blood drives will be hosted by first responders in the San Fernando Valley on the following dates:
Granada Hills
(All will be held at LA Fire Department Station 87 at 10124 Balboa Blvd.)
January 20: from 8 am to 2 pm
February 17: from 8 am to 2 pm
March 23: from 8 am to 2 pm
Panoraman City
January 25: from 10 am to 4 pm
Los Angeles Police Department Valley Traffic Division
7870 Nollan Pl.
Reseda
January 29: from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
West Valley LAPD Police Station
19020 Vanowen St.
Canoga Park
January 31: from 12:00 to 18:00
Topanga Community Los Angeles Police Station
21501 Schoenborn St.
Pacoima
Feb. 5: 9 am to 3:30 pm
Foothill Community LAPD Station
12760 Osborne St.
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2024-01-18 05:43:40
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