The American Red Cross declared a national blood shortage on Sept. 11, citing a critically low blood supply level that dropped nearly 25% since early August. Since the plea for more blood donors went out, the Red Cross has seen an increase in donations and is thankful to everyone who has rolled up a sleeve to help boost the blood supply. Meet some of our local donors who are making a difference.
Families that donate together
Michael and Christine Wong are regular donors that “I knew there was a blood shortage, so we definitely wanted to keep our appointments to help,” shared Christine. Her husband Michael had inspired her to become a blood donor and now make it a point to donate as often as they can.
“It is such a small thing to do that has a big impact.”
Michael Wong, Red Cross Blood Donor
Michael has been a long-time blood donor. As he checked the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, he discovered he had been donating for at least 8 years. Michael has been a Power Red blood donor for several years, which is known as one super-powered blood donation that may have the same impact as two regular donations. Red cells from a Power Red donation are typically given to trauma patients, newborns and emergency transfusions during birth, people with sickle cell anemia, and anyone suffering blood loss. “It is such a small thing to do that has a big impact.”
Through the Blood Donor App, he learned that he has a special blood type that go to the smallest patients in need. Since he has a CMV Negative blood type that goes to babies needing blood transfusions. “Learning that was special,” he shared.
First-time blood donors making a difference
Anna Sinko decided to face her fears of donating blood and come out to help during the Red Cross national blood shortage. For her it was pretty simple. “I saw there was a need, and decided to come out to donate.” She also added that the t-shirt giveaway was a plus.
What is her advice for other first-time blood donors? “I would do it again. It’s not that scary and everyone here was really nice. Don’t be afraid,” she emphasized.
Izaak Licata had been wondering what his blood type was, so he decided to donate blood to find out. As a first time blood donor, he encourages others to follow suit. He was asked what he would tell someone who is considering donating blood for the first time and his response was simple: “Don’t be intimated.”
We are thrilled to welcome first time donors to our lifesaving mission!
Long time donors rolling up their sleeve
When she’s not responding to emergencies as an EMT, Tyler is one of our regular blood donors.
She first started donating at blood drives held on campus at UCSB, and last week she made an appointment to donate blood after her shift. As a first responder, Tyler knows firsthand the importance of having blood on the shelves during emergencies.
“I saw on the website the news about the shortage and signed up. Donating blood is something so easy to do and takes a short amount of time. Everyone should do it.”
Every day, blood donors help patients of all ages: accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those battling cancer. In fact, every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood.
Jeff Wood will admit that he let some time go in between his most recent blood donation appointments, but the most important thing is he came out to donate when the Red Cross was facing a blood donation shortfall.
“I’ve been a donor for a couple decades now. I’m getting back in the habit of committing to come regularly because it doesn’t take too much time at all. From the check-in process to using the app to the donation, it goes by really quick. It takes less than an hour.”
The American Red Cross is grateful to all our committed blood donors who volunteer to give the gift of life to patients across the country.
How you can help
Donors of all blood types are urgently needed, and there is an emergency need for platelet donors and type O blood donors to make an appointment to give now to ensure patients across the country continue receiving critical medical care. Please make an appointment to give blood now and in the coming weeks.
Red Cross Central California Blog 