American Red Cross faces blood shortage due to drive cancelations
The American Red Cross is missing 86,000 donations due to the closing of schools and businesses that often host blood drives.
Empty blood donation seats are seen at The American Red Cross donation center in Scranton, Pa., on Monday, March 9, 2020. Due to the flu season and new coronavirus, donations to The American Red Cross are down across the country. (Jake Danna Stevens/The Times-Tribune via AP)
(Jake Danna Stevens/The Times-Tribune via AP)
PHOENIX — The American Red Cross is urging Valley residents to donate blood as it faces a shortage in donations.
Schools and businesses that often host blood drives have shut down due to the outbreak of coronavirus, which has caused the Red Cross to miss out on 86,000 units of blood nationwide as of Thursday, regional spokesman Jim Gilloon told KTAR News 92.3 FM.
“We want to keep the blood shelves in these hospitals full because there’s still people going through cancer treatment, or need a blood transfusion,” Gilloon said. “People who are having babies that might need blood transfusions.”
The American Red Cross Greater Phoenix Chapter serves a 4.3 million population across Maricopa, Gila and Pinal counties, as well as Luke Air Force Base.
There is no known coronavirus-related risk in donating blood. The virus is airborne, so it does not travel through the blood stream.
Gilloon said Red Cross disinfects and sanitizes between donations. The organization also takes donors’ temperature and asks questions including recent travel.
Red Cross’ website tells people who have been diagnosed with COVID-19, been in contact with anyone who has, or have traveled to China, Hong Kong, Macau, Iran, Italy or South Korea to postpone any donation for 28 days.
The organization has set up emergency blood drives at locations around the Valley.
Donors can visit the Red Cross website to schedule an appointment.
“We want anybody who’s healthy and able to give blood to come down to the regional headquarters and to donate blood,” Gilloon said. “One donation, one pint can save up to three lives.”
92.3 FM KTAR News’ Ali Vetnar contributed to this report.
Related
Phoenix food bank struggling with volunteer, food shortages
Live updates: The latest coronavirus information reported in Arizona
Phoenix ER doctor outlines criteria for receiving coronavirus test
Lake Powell hits record low, threatening key water and electricity supply for millions
Weekend wrap: Here are the biggest Arizona news stories from Aug. 14-16
Tired of the dry heat? Netflix’s new reality series ‘Arizona Hot’ is going to make it steamy
Comments
0 Comments