Red Cross in blood shortage crisis; donors asked to step up and help

By Lindsey Jarvis
WV NEWS

By Bill Rosenberger
For HDMedia

Imagine two risky surgeries taking place at the same time at CAMC General or WVU Medicine | Thomas Hospitals, but there’s only enough Type O blood in the cooler if one emergency transfusion is needed.

What sounds like a worst-case scenario is reality right now, as the American Red Cross has issued only its second-ever blood shortage crisis.

“That’s when doctors are forced to make the difficult decisions of who’s going to get the transfusion,” said Amber Whitley, who has been the executive director of the American Red Cross of the Tri-State in Huntington for the past six years. “We don’t have enough blood on the shelves at the hospitals to keep up with the demand.”

The Red Cross has been sounding the alarm about a steep decline in blood donations it has experienced since the end of May, which over the course of the summer created a growing gap between supply and patient need.

Ideally, there is at least a two-day supply at the hospitals, but now it’s under a day’s worth of supply. This can only be fixed by more people making blood donations, Whitley said.

On Monday, there were 34 appointments made by area residents to donate blood at the Red Cross headquarters at Kinetic Park in Huntington. That may sound like a lot, but she said that’s a typical Monday. What they need is 50 to 60, in addition to higher turnouts for blood drives that take place throughout the 15-county coverage area nearly every day.

The American Red Cross of Central Appalachia Region serves and is located in Charleston. The office did not respond to interview requests from HD Media, but noted on social media earlier this week that summer blood donations are now at a four-year low as the Red Cross faces a blood crisis nationally.

Donors stepping up

People do step up when there is a dramatic need for blood, Whitley said.

The hope is that those folks will go from a one-time donor to someone like Jerra Dolen, a Tri-State resident who has been donating blood regularly for about 17 years, dating back to her first donation at blood drive when she was a student at Chesapeake High School in Ohio.

“I’ve just kind of kept doing it ever since,” Dolen said. “You know, it’s being able to make a difference by being anonymous. I like that.”

Some people with giving hearts like to serve a meal to people experiencing homelessness or take part in a community food distribution — essentially come face-to-face with the need. That’s never the case with donating blood.

“I do it because I have two nieces and a nephew. If something was to happen to them, I hope someone would find it in their heart to give blood to them if I couldn’t do it,” Dolen said. “Hopefully, I’m helping a niece or nephew or a grandparent.

“I’m just somebody to help,” Dolen said. “I’m not a hero.”

How to help

The most sought-after blood type is O, which is considered universal and can be used for almost every patient in need.

Blood can’t be stockpiled. It’s perishable, which drives up the need to maintain a healthy supply.

Donating blood only takes about six to eight minutes, and now through Aug. 31, donors will receive a $20 Amazon gift card as a “thank you.”

Those who are unable to donate blood can assist the agency in other ways.

The American Red Cross also has a volunteer operation that mobilizes to help those affected by house fires, hurricanes, wildfires and floods. Volunteers can also work in the community to install smoke detectors, table at events, or provide education in classrooms and for the community. In this region, 90% of responses are for house fires. Volunteers go onsite, meet with those affected and provide immediate assistance.

Want to donate blood?

Those who want to donate can start by using the Red Cross blood donor app, visiting redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-733-2767. There’s a standard questionnaire to make sure you’re eligible to donate blood.

Read more from HDMedia, here.

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