Kentucky’s Red Cross is still looking for blood donations to help end a nationwide shortage that was declared last month.
The organization has seen an increase in donations since the shortage was declared September 11, but still needs to collect 10,000 blood and platelet donations each week over the next month to meet hospital needs.
Blood supply levels dropped 25 percent since early August. The Red Cross says a busy travel season, back-to-school activities and climate-driven disasters are all causes for the shortage.
Lynne Washbish is the executive director for the Red Cross’s Bluegrass Area Chapter.
“Since we've had the disasters in Hawaii, and California and many others, the donations have gone down because we've had to cancel so many blood drives,” Washbish said. “So the fall disaster season remains unpredictable right now.”
Washbish also says the shortage is partly because of residual effects from COVID-19.
“Many people have gone back to do elective surgeries that they put off due to COVID, Washbish said. “And then of course, there's accidents and people that get hospitalized that need more blood than we anticipate.”
Type O blood and platelets are among the organization’s biggest needs, but all blood types are needed. Recent shots of flu or COVID-19 vaccines don’t affect eligibility to donate.
Appointments can be made by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-733-2767 or using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.
