Blood transfusions save millions of lives in the United States every year. They help patients survive traumatic injuries, undergo surgery safely, or minimize the impact of cancer. They save the lives of new mothers threatened with massive obstetric hemorrhage and sustain the lives of premature babies. A 2020 report to Congress notes that transfusions are one of the most frequently performed procedures in U.S. hospitals, being used by more than 5% of all patients. 

But today, there is a severe shortage in our nation’s blood supply. Donor turnout, which has declined over the past decade, has now also been dramatically impacted by the pandemic. Blood centers across the country are reporting less than a one-day’s supply of blood — a call to action for all of us. Dr. Rhonda Cooke, Chief of Pathology at St. Louis’ Missouri Baptist Hospital, has reached out to solicit businesses’ help to spread the word about the dangerously low blood supply and to encourage employees to prioritize blood donation in Missouri, nationally, and around the world. 

“I have never seen blood shortages as severe as what we are currently experiencing. If the nation’s blood supply does not stabilize soon, life-saving blood may not be available for some patients when needed,” says Dr. Cooke, who has practiced transfusion medicine for more than 10 years. The American Red Cross (ARC) informed hospitals in December that they will not be able to fill orders for Group O blood for at least the next 4 to 6 weeks. Physicians have been notified that a triage process is in place and that some patients may need to delay surgeries and will likely not have access to transfusions.

Blood use has dropped by about a third in the past decade, largely because of improvements in surgical technique and blood conservation efforts, according to Kaiser Health News. But this has not been enough to offset the declines in donation, as many regular donors age. For people who grew up during World War II — and their children, the Baby Boomers — blood donation was a civic duty that became a lifelong habit, said James AuBuchon, President and Chief Executive of Bloodworks Northwest in Seattle. Nearly 60% of blood donations come from people over 40 according to the AABB, an international non-profit focused on transfusion medicine and cellular therapies. Increasingly, blood industry experts report that there are too few young people lining up to replace them.

Our nation’s blood supply is almost entirely dependent on volunteer donors and the network of 66 federally regulated non-profit blood centers. While only 37 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood, less than 10 percent do annually. Donors must be at least 18 years old (16- and 17-year-olds must have written parental consent). There is no upper age limit. COVID vaccination does not prevent or defer donation, as long as you are healthy and symptom-free.     

Typically, the blood comes from an anonymous person. However, people may donate blood to directly benefit a friend or loved one, and in some cases, themselves. Given the shortages, this may be something to consider.

What can YOU do? First, if you can, please donate. Giving blood is a charitable act, and like other charitable acts, it strengthens values and helps the donor feel good. Organizing incentives or steps to make it easier for or to reward your employees who make this donation can be beneficial for their health and well-being. Here are some other recommended actions:

1. Help prioritize blood donation as a national imperative by increasing public awareness and education around blood donation, especially for younger and diverse donors.
2. Reach out to BHC for sample articles and periodic reminders to inform your workers and encourage their donation throughout the year. Be sure to include information about donation centers and eligibility criteria. For more details, visit the websites of the ARC, AABB, or ABC.
3. Inform your employees of organized opportunities that may spur their donation. This month, the American Red Cross is raffling off Super Bowl tickets to those that donate. The St. Louis Cardinals host an annual blood drive among their fans, and the 2022 BIG Heart Blood Battle was recently launched across four Big Ten schools: Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State, and Wisconsin. 
4. Consider sponsoring a competitive challenge across the divisions of your organization or with a supplier or another employer. If you go this route, BHC is here to assist you in finding resources to support your planning and execution.  

Thank you for your actions to sustain America’s blood supply.

Warm regards,

Louise Y. Probst

BHC Executive Director