As Omicron intensifies, shelves of blood are bare across the United States causing a national blood crisis.
<p>The American Red Cross says it is facing a national blood crisis due to the Omicron variant – its worst blood shortage in over a decade, posing a concerning risk to patient care.<b> </b>Amid this crisis, doctors have been forced to make difficult decisions about who receives blood transfusions and who will need to wait until more products become available. Blood and platelet donations are critically needed to help prevent further delays in vital medical treatment.</p>
<p>[<strong>Photo above</strong>: The Red Cross says blood shelves like these are getting bare.]</p>
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1">
<p>&#8220;While some types of medical care can wait, others can&#8217;t,&#8221; said Dr. <span class="xn-person">Pampee Young</span>, chief medical officer of the Red Cross. &#8220;Hospitals are still seeing accident victims, cancer patients, those with blood disorders like sickle cell disease, and individuals who are seriously ill who all need blood transfusions to live even as Omicron cases surge across the country. We&#8217;re doing everything we can to increase blood donations to ensure every patient can receive medical treatments without delay, but we cannot do it without more donors. We need the help of the American people.&#8221;</p>
</div>
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1">
<p><b>The Red Cross asks the country to roll up a sleeve to help ensure people receive the care they need. Make an appointment to give blood or platelets as soon as possible by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767)</b></p>
<p>The Red Cross has experienced a 10% decline in the number of people donating blood since the beginning of the pandemic and continues to confront relentless issues due to the pandemic, including ongoing blood drive cancellations and staffing limitations. Adding to the concern is the surge of COVID-19 cases. The Red Cross has experienced low donor turnout ever since the Delta variant began spreading in August, and that trend continues as the Omicron variant takes over.</p>
<p>All types are needed now, especially types O positive and O negative, as well as platelet donations, to help reverse this national blood crisis. If there is not an immediate opportunity available to donate, donors are asked to make an appointment in the days and weeks ahead to ensure the Red Cross can replenish and maintain a sufficient blood supply.</p>
<p><b>Blood Donation Challenges<br class="dnr" /></b>Supplying 40% of the nation&#8217;s blood, the Red Cross has had to limit blood distributions to hospitals in recent weeks. In fact, on certain days, some hospitals may not receive as much as one-quarter of the blood products requested. Blood cannot be manufactured or stockpiled and can only be made available through the kindness of volunteer donors.</p>
<p>All of this comes as January marks National Blood Donor Month, a time to raise awareness about the need for blood donations when regular seasonal illnesses like colds and the flu, as well as winter weather often leads to a decline in donations.</p>
<p>&#8220;Every community in America needs blood on a daily basis. At a time when many businesses and organizations across the country are experiencing pandemic challenges – the Red Cross is no different. And while we are all learning how to live in this new environment, how we spend our time, where we work, how we give back, how we make a difference in the lives of others – donating blood must continue to be part of it,&#8221; added Dr. Young.</p>
<p>The Red Cross appreciates the patience of blood donors and blood drive hosts. As the nation faces the latest challenges of this pandemic environment, there may not be an immediate appointment available or an individual may be asked to reschedule an appointment — but the Red Cross still needs donors. The Red Cross is grateful for donors&#8217; understanding as the organization works tirelessly to meet the needs of patients.</p>
<p><b>The Personal Impact of Blood Shortages<br class="dnr" /></b><span class="xn-person">Kristen Mill</span> of <span class="xn-location">Spring Grove, Illinois</span>, suffers from ongoing health problems caused by a tick bite in 2008. Her body doesn&#8217;t produce enough hemoglobin to carry oxygen in her blood, and when her hemoglobin levels drop, blood transfusions are essential for her to survive. She has needed weekly transfusions to treat this condition for much of the summer and fall of 2021.</p>
<p>On a recent visit to the hospital for a transfusion, she was told the hospital had no blood that matched her blood type and she would have to wait until the right match became available.</p>
<p>&#8220;The hospital came to me and they apologized, and they said, &#8216;We&#8217;re so sorry, our blood bank is depleted to the point where we don&#8217;t have anyone that matches with you,'&#8221; said Kristen. &#8220;It&#8217;s very scary, especially if you don&#8217;t know if the blood is coming, because this is something that you need to live.&#8221;</p>
<p>Unfortunately, Kristen has had to wait for blood on multiple occasions in recent weeks. &#8220;It has become quite common that I would have to wait two or three days for blood. Then my condition would get worse, and I&#8217;d need to be hospitalized while waiting for blood. It usually took two days, sometimes three days, which is a long time when you are waiting for something that could save your life,&#8221; said Kristen.</p>
<p>Kristen worries that the next time she needs blood, it may not arrive in time to keep her alive. After seeing firsthand what a blood shortage means, she has become an advocate for blood donation.</p>
<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t want this to happen to other people,&#8221; Kristen said. &#8220;There is nothing greater you can give someone than the gift of life. To have people donating lifesaving blood is just incredible and essential.&#8221;</p>
</div>

SAN FRANCISCO -- Wispr, the voice-to-text AI that turns speech into clear, polished writing in every…
SAN FRANCISCO -- Numeric, an AI accounting automation platform, has raised a $51 million Series…
Apple has announced 45 finalists for this year’s App Store Awards, recognizing the best apps…
The University of California (UC) and the California Nurses Association (CNA) have reached a tentative…
SAN FRANCISCO -- House Rx, a health tech company focused on making specialty medications more accessible and…
Britain's King has given an award to the King of NVIDIA! NVIDIA founder and CEO…