Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood, according to the Red Cross. Due to the high demand, blood collections are constantly needed. There are many individuals willing and able to give blood, however in warmer months, there is a decline.
“We have challenges this time of year. Summertime is slow for blood collection because people are out doing other things, but the demand is higher because while out and about, traumatic injuries occur which require blood,” said Vince Robinson, external communications manager for the Red Cross, Indiana/Ohio Region.
Andrea Fagan, director of public relations and marketing for the Indiana Blood Center agreed and said high school and college students account for a significant percentage of blood donations. With school being suspended for the summer, students aren’t as readily available.
“We want this to be a lifelong commitment. We find that older donors began donating blood in high school,” said Robinson.
To make up for the losses, agencies like the Red Cross and the Indiana Blood Center host blood drives. Many blood drives are on a mobile unit or set up at locations such as an office, school or church. Robinson said the best way to find a Red Cross blood drive is to visit Redcrossblood.org and type in a zip code. People can also call (800) RED-CROSS.
The Indiana Blood Center has seven donor centers throughout the state: Carmel, Fishers, Greenwood, Indianapolis, Lafayette, Muncie and Terre Haute. Donors can call a location and schedule an appointment.
The center also hosts corporate blood drives and special drives such as the 25th Annual Bob and Tom Blood Drive and drives at the Indiana State Fair.
“We like it when people come into the donor centers because we can do procedures there that we can’t do at a mobile blood drive,” said Fagan. “We can collect platelets, red cells and plasma.”
Donations are in demand, however donors must meet eligibility requirements set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration prior to giving their gift. To meet the basic requirements for giving blood, donors must be healthy (feel well and be able to perform normal activities) and have a blood pressure within normal limits; have a normal temperature; be free from acute respiratory diseases; be at least 16 years old; have a normal blood hemoglobin, or iron, level; and not have donated blood in the last 56 days.
If donors meet all requirements, they fill out necessary paperwork; give their blood; and are escorted to an area to rest and have refreshments. The entire process is no more than an hour.
The blood is then sent to local medical facilities.
“Because we are a nationwide agency, if there are severe shortages in one area, we can compensate in other areas. For example, this past winter, there was a lot of severe weather on the East Coast. A lot of area centers could not collect blood and fulfill needs for hospitals. We were able to get blood from other parts of the country,” said Robinson.
The need for blood is great, but the need for minorities giving blood is greater. Experts say diversity in blood collection is important because there are unique characteristics in minorities’ blood that are extremely helpful to minority blood recipients.
“There are over 600 different elements we can look at in someone’s blood that goes beyond the type. There are antigens and antibodies we test for to find a better match for people,” said Fagan. “It’s important to have a good base of people with different ethnicities because recipients come from all different ethnicities. It gets even more complicated when you have someone who is multiracial.”
She said those who have never given blood are oftentimes nervous and wonder if the procedure hurts. Fagan assures that there is nothing to worry about and urges people to work to overcome their fears and give in order to help save lives.
“Statistics show 97 percent of people will need blood or know someone who needs blood. In that emergency, the blood has to be on the shelf. Because of the fact that the need is high, hopefully that’s a motivator for people to think ‘I need to go out and give.’ It can really save someone’s life,” said Robinson.
For more information on donating blood or hosting a blood drive, contact the Red Cross at (800) RED-CROSS or visit Redcrossblood.org; or the Indiana Blood Center at (800) 632-4722 or visit Indianablood.org.
