INDIANAPOLIS — The American Red Cross announced this week it is facing its first-ever “national blood crisis” with its worst blood shortage in more than a decade.
According to the Red Cross, the shortage has led doctors to make difficult decisions about who receives blood transfusions and who will need to wait until more blood is available.
LaMar Holliday, regional communications director for the American Red Cross Indiana Region, said the pandemic, severe winter weather, supply chain and staffing challenges, and the holidays have contributed to the shortage.
“These challenges have resulted in the lowest national blood inventories in more than a decade,” Holliday said in an email. “At times, as much as one-quarter of hospital blood needs are not being met. What is even more challenging at this time is that blood supply levels have remained at historically low levels now for nearly four months.”
All blood types are needed, but Type O is especially low. The Red Cross reported having less than a one-day supply of some blood types in recent weeks while having to limit distributions to hospitals.
The pandemic has created challenges for the Red Cross with a 10% decline in the number of people donating blood and a 62% drop in blood drives at schools and colleges.
People can make an appointment to give blood by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.
Donors who give blood or plasma in January will be entered in a chance to win a trip to Super Bowl LVI in Lon Angeles. People will also be entered in a drawing to win a home theater package and a $500 e-gift card.
-
Historical preservation activist Gayle Cook passes away at age 91
Gayle Cook, co-founder of the Bloomington based Cook companies, died at the age of 91 on Sunday morning, according to the organization.
Uplifting Indianapolis: Rapper 4200kory pays tribute to his Far Eastside roots
Chauncey Graham, a 24-year-old rapper known by the stage name 4200Kory, is on a mission to inspire change and honor his hometown of Indianapolis through his music.
Officials respond to downtown demonstration
Officials are responding to a video of demonstrators who marched around Monument Circle carrying flags with swastikas that has gone viral.
IMPD: One dead, one injured in crash on southwest side of Indianapolis
One man has died and another is injured following a crash on the southwest side of Indianapolis on Sunday.
