New effects of pandemic leading to significant drop in nation’s blood supply
Vermont Business Magazine The American Red Cross is experiencing a severe blood shortage as the number of trauma cases, organ transplants and elective surgeries rise – and deplete the nation’s blood inventory. Donors of all blood types – especially type O and those giving platelets – are urged to make an appointment to give as soon as possible to prevent further impact to patients. A list of Vermont donation sites is below.
Right now, hospitals are responding to an atypically high number of traumas and emergency room visits, as well as overdoses and resulting transplants. In comparison to 2019, the Red Cross has seen demand from trauma centers climb by 10% in 2021− more than five times the growth of other facilities that provide blood transfusions.
“When seconds count in emergency trauma situations, it’s the blood already on the shelves that can make the difference in lifesaving care,” said Dr. Jorge Rios, Medical Director, of Red Cross Northern New England Region. “As many people begin to enjoy travel and time with loved ones again this summer, patients are relying on the generosity of donors to help ensure they have access to the treatment they need. Please consider blood donation as a summer activity that can help save lives.”
Patients need the help of the American people. Schedule an appointment to give blood now by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.
In addition to trauma needs, there is a great hospital demand for blood as people who deferred care during the height of the pandemic present with more advanced disease progression, requiring increased blood transfusions. Over the last three months, the Red Cross has distributed about 75,000 more blood products than expected to meet these needs. As a result of this shortage, some hospitals are being forced to slow the pace of elective surgeries until the blood supply stabilizes. Blood is perishable and cannot be stockpiled, so it must constantly be replenished by generous blood donors.
Donors are urged to make an appointment to give blood or platelets now. As a thank-you, those who come to give now through June 30 will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email, courtesy of Amazon. (Restrictions apply. Additional information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.)
In most cases, those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine can donate. However, knowing the name of the manufacturer of the vaccine they received is important in determining donation eligibility.
Final weeks for COVID-19 antibody testing
As more than a third of Americans have become fully vaccinated against COVID-19, the Red Cross is winding down COVID-19 antibody testing for blood, platelet and plasma donations.
Through June 25, the Red Cross is testing all donations for COVID-19 antibodies. Testing may show possible exposure to the virus or whether a donor has developed an immune response to vaccination. The conclusion of Red Cross antibody testing represents a new, hopeful phase as the nation continues to journey out of this pandemic.
World Sickle Cell Day: June 19
June 19 is World Sickle Cell Day, an important day for the more than 100,000 individuals with sickle cell disease in the U.S. Most people with this disease are of African descent and will require regular blood transfusions to help manage their disease. Some individuals with sickle cell disease may require as many as 100 units of blood per year.
The Red Cross is screening all blood, platelet and plasma donations from self-identified African American donors for the sickle cell trait. This additional screening will provide Black donors with an additional health insight and help the Red Cross identify compatible blood types more quickly to help patients with sickle cell disease. Since the best blood match for a patient receiving ongoing transfusions comes from donors of the same genetic background, the Red Cross encourages people of all ethnicities to give blood and help increase the number of diverse donors so we can find the best match for all patients.
Donors can expect to receive antibody test and sickle cell trait screening results, if applicable, within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App and the online donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities June 15-30
Addison
Bristol
6/29/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 5 p.m., American Legion Bristol Post 19, 56 Airport Drive
Middlebury
6/22/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 133 Valley View Drive
6/29/2021: 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Counseling Services of Addison Co., 109 Catamount Park
Vergennes
6/15/2021: 12 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Assembly of God Christian Church, 1759 US RT 7
6/26/2021: 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Victory Baptist Church, 862 US-7
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Bennington
Arlington
6/23/2021: 11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Arlington American Legion Post 69, 54 Legion Rd
Bennington
6/30/2021: 11:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Moose Lodge of Bennington, 916 Main Street
Manchester
6/15/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Burr & Burton Academy, 63 Seminary Road
Manchester Center
6/29/2021: 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Fraternal Order of Eagles, 2282 Depot Street
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Caledonia
Danville
6/18/2021: 11:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., Pope Memorial Library Comm. Center-The old bank building, 121 Park Street
Lyndonville
6/16/2021: 1 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., VFW Lyndonville, 156 Hill St.
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Chittenden
Essex
6/25/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Essex Experience, 21 Essex Way, Unit #300
Essex Junction
6/18/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 73 Essex Way
Jericho
6/16/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Catalyst Church on Raceway, 100 Raceway Road
Milton
6/22/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Cornerstone Community Church, 26 Bombardier Rd.
South Burlington
6/25/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., NBC 5 at DoubleTree Burlington, 870 Williston Rd.
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Franklin
Saint Albans
6/24/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., St. Mary's, 45 Fairfield St.
6/30/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., St. Albans City Hall, 100 N. Main St.
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Grand Isle
Grand Isle
6/24/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Grand Isle Sheriff's Office, 10 Island Circle
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Lamoille
Jeffersonville
6/23/2021: 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Smugglers' Notch Resort, Route 108 South
Morrisville
6/23/2021: 10:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., Green Mountain Support Services, 93 James Road
Stowe
6/15/2021: 12 p.m. - 4 p.m., Golden Eagle Resort, 511 Mountain Road
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Orange
Randolph
6/22/2021: 11:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church, 43 Hebard Hill Rd
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Orleans
Irasburg
6/30/2021: 2 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Town Hall, 161 Route 58 E
Newport
6/29/2021: 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., American Legion, 35 Veterans Ave
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Rutland
Bomoseen
6/24/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 5 p.m., Castleton American Legion, 378 Route 4a West
Brandon
6/21/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Brandon American Legion, 550 Franklin Street, P.O. Box 25
Rutland
6/22/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Elks Lodge #345, 44-46 Pleasant Street
West Rutland
6/28/2021: 12 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., West Rutland Town Hall, 35 Marble Street
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Washington
Barre
6/23/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Barre Auditorium, 16 Auditorium Hill
6/25/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Barre Elks, 10 Jefferson Street
Berlin
6/19/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Berlin Mall, 282 Berlin Mall Road, Space 5
6/21/2021: 12 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Central Vermont Chamber of Commerce, 963 Paine Turnpike North
Montpelier
6/28/2021: 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Montpelier City Hall, 39 Main Street
Warren
6/19/2021: 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Warren United Church, 339 Main Street
Waterbury
6/17/2021: 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., American Legion, 16 Stowe St
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Windham
Bellows Falls
6/17/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., United Church of Bellows Falls, 8 School Street
Brattleboro
6/26/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Winston Prouty Center - Thomas Hall, 209 Austine Drive
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Windsor
Bethel
6/18/2021: 12 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Bethel White Church, 129 Church Street
Brownsville
6/16/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 5 p.m., Holiday Inn, 485 Hotel Drive
Quechee
6/15/2021: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Quechee Club, 593 Lakeland Drive
White River Junction
6/23/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Riverbank Church, 259 Holiday Drive
Blood drive safety
The Red Cross has updated its pandemic safety protocols in alignment with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Fully vaccinated individuals, including staff and donors, no longer need to wear masks or socially distance. Unvaccinated individuals continue to be required to wear masks and socially distance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive.
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including social distancing and face masks for donors and staff – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face mask while at the drive, in alignment with state/local guidance.
Don’t wait to give
Donors can also save up to 15 minutes at the blood drive by completing a RapidPass®. With RapidPass®, donors complete the pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of donation, from a mobile device or computer. To complete a RapidPass®, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App.
To donate blood, individuals need to bring a blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification that are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also must meet certain height and weight requirements.
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
Source: BURLINGTON, VT (June 15, 2021) — The American Red Cross