National blood shortage in wake of heat, Debby

The Red Cross reported its blood supply is down by 25% since July 1, roughly 19,000 units, a shortage exacerbated by the heat and Tropical Storm Debby.

Suzanne Lawler, the regional director for the Red Cross, said about two dozen blood drives were canceled in the areas affected by Debby, leaving about 100 units of blood uncollected.

Summer has historically been a difficult time for collecting blood, she said, as some venues lack A/C and can make donating blood unappealing.

“We need folks that aren’t under heat right now … to come out and give blood, especially O+ and O- blood,” she said. “The situation is even more exacerbated by tropical storm Debby and what she’s done to the coast of Georgia.”

Macon’s Atrium Health Navicent The Medical Center hosted a blood drive Aug. 13. John Wood, the center’s emergency room medical director, said their medical center will use more than the average hospital since the center is classified as a Level I trauma center.

Blood from blood drives is sent all around the country, with 45% of that supply going to hospitals. 

O- blood, or the universal donor type, in particular is important because in an emergency situation doctors may not be able to test for blood type, Wood said.

Wood said they are in constant need of blood, and they have a “heightened awareness” any time there is a blood shortage.

“Anytime we feel like we’re getting anywhere near the danger zone, we start communicating with other local hospitals to make sure that we have access to anything we might need,” Wood said.

Lawler said demand is currently outpacing supply, and any one patient could need 100 units of blood, or as much blood drawn from one hundred people, she said.

Anyone can donate blood, Lawler said, insurance is not required, and there’s no age limit on who can donate. 

“We rely completely on people walking through the door, generous donors, to say ‘I am going to give this life saving gift,’ to people they’ll never meet,” she said.

The Red Cross runs a blood donor app to schedule a donation and expedite the process. A list of upcoming blood drives can be found on redcrossblood.org/give.