Between Memorial Day and Labor Day – the traditional end of summer – demand for blood remains constant and transfusion needs increase, but donations go down
Brett Davis
The Center Square Washington
The Washington State Department of Health is trying to head off a blood shortage this summer by partnering with the Northwest Blood Coalition to urge more blood donations.
According to the Department of Health, between Memorial Day and Labor Day – the traditional end of summer – demand for blood remains constant and transfusion needs increase, but donations go down.
The Pacific Northwest Region of the Red Cross does not expect to have enough blood to meet patient needs this month without an increase in donations.
“As we approach the Labor Day holiday, eligible donors are encouraged to visit their blood centers and help stabilize our blood inventory this summer,” said Angel Montes, American Red Cross Northwest Region regional donor services executive, in a DOH news release last week. “Please make an appointment to ensure blood is available for patients in need.”
Wildfire smoke resulted in several canceled blood drives, exacerbating the problem, according to DOH.
“Summer is usually a slow time for blood donations,” explained DOH public information officer Roberto Bonaccorso in an email to The Center Square. “Schools are out, so fewer college students participate; people plan trips and other activities that take them away from regular donation appointments. This year is not out of the ordinary in that regard, but the heat and fires have made the shortages more pressing.”
The traditional summer slowdown in blood donations, however, is a far cry from the height of the COVID-19 pandemic that saw “a tremendous strain on the blood supply and the worst national blood shortage in over a decade,” according to a 2022 National Library of Medicine paper on lessons learned from the pandemic blood supply crisis.
“High schools and colleges are important sites of blood drives, but with nearly 2 years of virtual schooling, according to the Red Cross, there was a 62% drop in school blood drives during the pandemic,” the paper noted. “During the second half of the pandemic, particularly with the spikes of the omicron and delta variants, the rapid spread of infection and mandated postinfection quarantine led to a further strain on the available donor pool as well as staff shortages at blood donation centers and hospitals. This coincided with the reopening of many aspects of the healthcare system that were previously closed or limited, resulting in an increased number of elective surgeries and other procedures for which blood transfusion may be required.”
Donating blood is safe and can help save the lives of others, DOH stressed, noting that donations are crucial for people undergoing surgeries, blood disorder treatments and cancer care.
Most people who are at least 18 years old and weigh a minimum of 110 pounds can donate blood.
Visit these websites for more information on donating blood:
This report was first published by The Center Square Washington.
Also read:
- Vancouver Police arrest suspect in shooting at Vancouver MallVancouver Police arrest suspect in Vancouver Mall shooting; Travis L. Ward, 22, was taken into custody with SWAT assistance.
- Vancouver Police seeking assistance from Crime Stoppers of OregonVancouver Police seek public assistance to identify two women who may have information about the Vancouver Mall shooting.
- Inslee activates some National Guard members to support public safety activities related to the electionGov. Inslee activates National Guard to support election safety in Washington amid DHS warnings.
- High school football: Camas, Seton Catholic, and Woodland conquer Championship FridayCamas, Seton Catholic, and Woodland claim league championships, advancing to playoffs in Southwest Washington high school football.
- SOS: Lawsuit against ballot signature verification ‘wrong as a matter of common sense’Washington’s Supreme Court hears a pivotal case challenging the state’s ballot signature verification process, with potential implications for voter rights and election integrity.
- Letter: ‘The current bridge plan hurts economic development on BOTH sides of the river’Sam Churchill from Hayden Island shares his concerns over the economic impact of the current I-5 Bridge replacement proposal on both sides of the river.
- Board of Health extends application deadline for education position on Public Health Advisory CouncilClark County Board of Health extends application deadline for education position on Public Health Advisory Council, with a term ending Sept. 30, 2027.