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In recent weeks, the Red Cross has had less than a 1-day supply of critical blood types. With blood product distributions to hospitals outpacing donations coming in, the Red Cross is facing a crisis that is threatening patient care. The dangerously low blood supply levels have forced some hospitals to defer patients from major surgery, including organ transplants. Blood and platelet donations are critically needed. Please give: rcblood.org/donate.

The New Glarus Area EMS is hosting a Blood Drive on Saturday, February 12, 2022, from 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., at their station, 401 3rd Street.

All blood donations are now tested for COVID-19 antibodies. Please see https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/dlp/covid-19-antibody-testing.html for more details. In most cases, there’s no blood donation deferral if you’ve received a COVID-19 vaccine and you’re symptom free and feeling well when you come to give.

An appointment is strongly recommended. To do so, please download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit http://www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code NewGlarus, or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire found at http://www.redcrossblood.org/rapidpass is encouraged to help speed up the donation process. A blood donor card or driver’s license, or two other forms of identification, are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

What is Causing the Blood Shortage Crisis?

10% overall blood donation decline since March 2020. 62% drop in college and high school blood drives due to the pandemic. Student donors accounted for ~25% of donors in 2019 accounted for just ~10% during the pandemic. Ongoing blood drive cancellations due to illness, weather-related closures and staffing limitations. Additional factors like a surge of COVID-19 cases and an active flu season may compound the already bad situation.

At a time when many businesses and organizations across the country are experiencing pandemic challenges, the Red Cross is no different.

Supply of Critical Blood Types

The Red Cross, which supplies 40% of the nation’s blood supply, has had to limit blood product distributions to hospitals as a result of the shortage. In fact, some hospitals may not receive 1 in 4 blood products they need.

Blood cannot be manufactured or stockpiled and can only be made available through the kindness of volunteer donors. Less than a one-day supply of critical blood types in recent weeks. Please consider booking additional appointments further out due to the fact that while availability of drives may be impacted, the need for blood remains constant.

February Promotion

Warm hearts, great gifts! As our thanks for coming to give February 1-28, we’ll send you a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card via email, thanks to our partners at Amazon! Terms apply. Visit rcblood.org/together.