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* NPR…
Public health officials encourage “social distancing” now but they also worry it is leading to a shortage of donated blood.
The American Red Cross, which supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood, says donor drives across the country have been cancelled “at an alarming rate” and the organization now faces a “severe blood shortage.”
“In really good times we may have five days of inventory available for our hospital clients and now we’re running at a day or day-and-a-half in some cases,” says Chris Hrouda, president of Biomedical Services for the Red Cross.
As of Tuesday, the Red Cross says about 2,700 blood drives had been canceled because of concerns about people gathering at workplaces, college campuses and schools — all places where drives typically take place. The organization estimates that’s resulted in 86,000 fewer blood donations because 80% of the blood it collects comes from drives held at these locations.
* Tribune…
Vitalant, which collects blood from donors across the country, has seen 10 blood donation drives canceled in the Chicago area in recent days over fears about COVID-19. Vitalant typically holds about six or seven drives a day in the Chicago area, said Eva Quinley, Vitalant regional director.
Vitalant has also seen a 30% to 40% drop-off in donations in recent days, she said.
“Vitalant has now had almost 1,000 units of blood canceled in the past two days and expect more,” Quinley said in an email Thursday. “We are going to have an unprecedented blood shortage.”
* The House Republicans are helping spread the word…
Heh.
* I’m not allowed to donate blood because I lived on a military base in Germany in 1980 with my parents. The military bought beef at the time that wasn’t screened for Mad Cow Disease (remember that?).
But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give blood if you possibly can.
So, click here to locate your local Red Cross blood donation center and get over there as quickly as you can. Thanks!
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Mar 19, 20 @ 9:31 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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Rich,
I also lived overseas more than 30 years ago for a 9 month period and haven’t been able to donate blood since. I’m beginning to think the Red Cross will be giving me a lifetime sentence of “unclean” as far as donating blood goes.
Comment by Downstate Thursday, Mar 19, 20 @ 9:47 am
Thanks for the reminder, Rich. Signed up to donate tomorrow.
Comment by GV Thursday, Mar 19, 20 @ 9:48 am
I didn’t know those restrictions were still in effect (Germany 1987-1990). So much for me doing good in that regard; I’ll help spread the word though.
Comment by downstateR Thursday, Mar 19, 20 @ 9:51 am
I am signed up to donate next week, but I think the drive is cancelled. It no longer shows on the Red Cross website, but I have had no notification of it either being on or off??
Comment by Bruce (no not him) Thursday, Mar 19, 20 @ 9:53 am
Thanks for sharing these stories, blood donation is another necessity often forgotten during major tragedy that does not include obvious bloodshed of victims. I’ll admit the thought hadn’t crossed my mind until reading this. I’m going online to schedule a donation now.
Comment by Watching Thursday, Mar 19, 20 @ 9:57 am
What happens if someone unknowingly has the coronavirus and donates blood? Would the recipient of that blood then be infected?
Comment by DuPage Thursday, Mar 19, 20 @ 10:00 am
In central Illinois, don’t forget that many/most blood/platelet donations are performed by the Regional Blood Center.
Comment by Nilwood Thursday, Mar 19, 20 @ 10:07 am
I am a liver transplant survivor. The medication I take make it impossible for me to donate blood. Those of you who can, should donate. I certainly would, if I could.
Comment by Retired Educator Thursday, Mar 19, 20 @ 10:07 am
Sadly the earliest date in NW Suburbs is April 7th.
Comment by Jay Kay Thursday, Mar 19, 20 @ 10:11 am
I’m not eligible to donate again until April 1. So my next appointment is April 1 here in Chicago. Wish I could go sooner. 8 weeks is 8 weeks. Thanks for putting out the call to donate.
Comment by Baltimoron Thursday, Mar 19, 20 @ 10:13 am
I spoke too soon. There are a bunch of locations in the Chicagoland area.
https://donateblood.lifesource.org/
Comment by Jay Kay Thursday, Mar 19, 20 @ 10:15 am
2 points
The span between donations is 56 days
Red Cross has central office is a number of cities that can tak donations if drives are cancelled
Comment by Annonin' Thursday, Mar 19, 20 @ 10:26 am
Traffic was unusually light this week; I got downtown in record time and gave blood before going in to the office, JRTC was a ghost town.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 19, 20 @ 10:54 am
In Springfield there is the Central Illinois Community Blood Center. I haven’t been there for few years. I only need two pints to get to five gallons so I will start work on it.
Comment by Bigtwich Thursday, Mar 19, 20 @ 12:05 pm
Donated at a local drive last week. Proud to feel it’s one of the few things I’m at. IF YOU ARE ABLE, PLEASE DONATE.
Comment by Bogey Golfer Thursday, Mar 19, 20 @ 12:14 pm
Going in later today to donate at my local hspital facility they type A- so I’m told. Also if you’re not a regular donor hydrate and eat before you go to avoid getting light headed or fainting. Med folks got enough on their hands no need to add you to thier plat.
Comment by NorthsideNoMore Thursday, Mar 19, 20 @ 12:16 pm
They Need type A neg sorry for pidgin english.
Comment by NorthsideNoMore Thursday, Mar 19, 20 @ 12:19 pm
My wife used to donate because she has one of the rarer types. But they made her stop about 18 years ago because of a number of health issues she has.
Comment by RNUG Thursday, Mar 19, 20 @ 12:40 pm
My union holds a bi monthly blood drives for the past 20yrs. Ours is coming up and I want it to go on. I reached out to find out there protocol for both donors and the owners of the building they are using as we have renters and I want to assure them of there safety. They sent me only protocol for donors only. Having things in place like limiting people in the building at one time, appointment only, parking lot/ wait in there car till there up and of course temp checks and constant disinfectant during and after might help ease some nerves. We need these to continue.
Comment by Augie Thursday, Mar 19, 20 @ 12:55 pm
I was in the Army in Germany 1978-1980. Didn’t know about the blood donor restriction.Its been 15 years since I donated….borderline anemia now..
Comment by Anotherretiree Thursday, Mar 19, 20 @ 1:20 pm
Thank you all for considering to donate blood. We are adding sites in Springfield to give donors a place to donate. Please use Redcrossblood.org and put in your zipcode for the next drive near you. If you can not donate, we can use you as a volunteer, or recommend a site to host a drive that will allow us the space for social distancing. Some of the locations that were hosting can not now due to space or other reasons. IT is safe to donate if you are eligible. There is one on Monday March 23rd at American Red Cross “old” Chapter building. 1045 Outer Park Drive
Springfield. 10a-3p You can find many of your answers to your questions on the eligibility or Coronoavirus tab as well on that site. I don’t know if I can share my information on here but you can reach out to the local chapter contacts and they will get you in touch with me if you have a site for us to host or want to volunteer. Thank you all again.
Comment by Ellen- Redcross Thursday, Mar 19, 20 @ 1:58 pm
Maybe there will be fewer car accidents, elective surgeries, etc., and the demand for blood will decrease.
Anybody have those numbers? Accidents with transport to hospital, month-to-date? Elective surgeries, mtd? (and of course historical numbers for perspective)
Comment by pollyanna Thursday, Mar 19, 20 @ 2:05 pm
Thanks for the heads up. Haven’t had a drive around me (du page) for a bit. Any suggestions for downtown Chicago anyone? The link only has Red Cross on W. Harrison street with no drives scheduled.
Comment by park Thursday, Mar 19, 20 @ 8:27 pm