© 2024 WUGA | University of Georgia
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Red Cross Facing Severe Blood Shortage

The Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood and platelet shortage. The organization says blood supplies have dropped to their lowest post-summer levels since 2015. Ruby Ramirez is a Red Cross spokesperson.

“Since the spike of the COVID-19 pandemic here in August and the Delta variant, we’ve seen our blood donor turnout decrease about 10 percent,” according to Ramirez. “With the need for blood products across Georgia and the country remaining the same.”

She says the numbers are daunting.

“Right now as a result, the American Red Cross is having to collect 10,000 more blood products each week to kind of stay in pace with the demand that we’re seeing from hospitals and patients across the country.”

The organization is seeing unusually low numbers for this time of year. Ramirez says while donations usually drop off during the summer months, they usually increase during the fall. That has not happened this year.

“In the past month, we’ve seen some of our blood inventory drop below half a day’s worth supply and we generally like to keep our supply to a nice, comfortable level at about five days.”

The Red Cross collects about 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply.

“Every two seconds someone in the country needs blood, so it’s crucial, it’s imperative that people come out and help us.”

Anyone wanting to donate can use the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, or call 1-800-Red Cross. Or 1800-733-2767

Ramirez says the agency follows CDC guidelines and strict COVID precautions.

Blood Donation Opportunities:

Barrow

Auburn

10/6/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Perry Rainey Center, 16 College Street

Clarke

Athens

10/6/2021: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway

Oconee

Watkinsville

10/6/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Briarwood Baptist Church, 1900 Robinhood Rd

Clarke

Athens

10/7/2021: 8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway

10/7/2021: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., University of Georgia Memorial Hall, 101 Sanford Drive

Clarke

Athens

10/8/2021: 8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway

Clarke

Athens

10/9/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway

10/10/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway

10/11/2021: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway

Clarke

Athens

10/12/2021: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway

Clarke

Athens

10/13/2021: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway

Jackson

Hoschton

10/13/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., The Meeting House, 5615 Grand Reunion Drive

Clarke

Athens

10/14/2021: 8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway

Clarke

Athens

10/15/2021: 8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway

10/15/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., St. Joseph Catholic Parish Church & School, 958 Epps Bridge Parkway

Related Content