Red Cross Issues Emergency Call For Blood As Donations Decrease Due To Holiday

DETROIT (WWJ) - The American Red Cross is looking for more residents to roll up their sleeves and donate blood.

Right now blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in, WWJ's Dr. Deanna Lites reports. There are about 40,000 fewer donations than what hospitals across the country need, prompting an emergency call for blood and platelet donors.

The reason for the blood shortage?

"You know, a lot of our donors here in Michigan are taking vacations which we love to do here in Michigan; we certainly can't fault them for that, and doing other summertime activities," said Todd Kulman with the American Red Cross in Southeast Michigan. "So blood donations during the summer months will often take kind of a backseat."

Kulman said the Red Cross because of this does not hold as many blood drives during the holiday week as well as the weeks before and after.

"We've seen nationally nearly 650 fewer blood drives held the week of July 4th than during an average week," he said. "So that's basically equivalent to us not collection blood for an entire day."

The Red Cross is looking for all blood types at a number of blood donation centers located across metro Detroit.

To schedule an appointment to donate, use the free Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). The Red Cross is extending hours at many donation sites to allow for more donors to make an appointment to give. Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire are encouraged to avoid longer wait times.

Those unable to give can still help by encouraging others to give through a SleevesUp virtual blood drive at redcrossblood.org/sleevesup, giving of their time through volunteerism or making a financial donation to support Red Cross humanitarian work across the country and around the world.