American Red Cross faces 'severe blood shortage' as cancellations increase due to coronavirus

ABC News ^ | March 17, 2020 | By Mychael Schnell

[Oldeconomybuyer]

The American Red Cross said they're now facing a "severe blood shortage," as blood drives across the country continue to be cancelled as concerns over the novel coronavirus pandemic grow.

"Right now, the Red Cross is distributing blood donations faster than they are coming in," Paul Sullivan, senior vice president of the American Red Cross, told ABC News.

"As concerns about COVID-19 grow and more blood drive cancellations come, the Red Cross and other blood collection organizations as well as hospitals across the country have heightened concerns about our ability to meet patient needs," Sullivan continued. "That’s why we are asking healthy individuals to roll-up a sleeve and give blood now."

As of Tuesday morning, nearly 2,700 Red Cross blood drives in the U.S. have been cancelled, resulting in approximately 86,000 fewer blood donations, according to a statement from the organization.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

[Biggirl]

The medical crunch now has started with this blood shortage.

[Professional]

There is a ton of money in blood, and these leeches now are worried that they can’t gouge hospitals outrages sums of money for blood...

[CharlesWayneCT]

I was surprised when they cancelled the blood drive here at work, but I thought it was the red cross that was doing that, so they could develop a screening test to avoid taking blood from CV-positive people.

[FlipWilson]

Well, yes, when you blanket issue lockdown orders and don’t think them through, things like this can happed.

[madison10]

We gave last week, cannot give again for awhile.

[A Navy Vet]

Saw this coming. However, also saw where plasma may be an effective treatment as it has for decades against many diseases. As I questioned, how long will it take to process the plasma (anti-bodies) from whole blood and distribute it?

[digger48]

I used to be a regular, but getting put on a blood thinner killed that

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

Exactly! The MSM-driven panic has resulted in unnecessary hoarding, and consequent shortages of basic hygiene supplies & now it’s creating unnecessary shortages of blood products. Many thousands could die as a direct result of the shortages, and it’s all on the MSM, and “never-let-a-good-crisis-go-to-waste” leftist politicans.

[MortMan]

I am O-negative. Universal donor.

I have been prohibited since the 90s, because I was in the Army in Europe during the mad cow years.

Gallon-plus prior, but prohibited. Low risk otherwise (same wife and partner since 1989).

It still ticks me off.

[madison10]

Last week was just the 2nd time I donated. (over 60) Could not do it as a young woman

[FlipWilson]

I have been saying this form the start. They are not thinking this through.

Hey, we sure did cut that virus down to size. Tons of people bled out due to the shortage of blood, but we won’t have to worry about them ever getting this virus.

Save the people from the virus, KILL THEM!! It the North Korean proven cure.

Also:

No mass events!!

Now panic and get to the grocery store to create an exponentially greater amount of, albeit smaller, mass events.

Save the people by killing them!!!

[Verginius Rufus]

I don't understand the strictness of the rules for people who had been in Europe during the forbidden period--has even a single case of mad cow disease been attributed to a blood donation? Now for non-military types the period is 5 years in Europe--but in Europe they take blood donations from people who have lived there all their lives. When the time frame was 6 months I was unable to give blood for several years because I had spent 7 months in Europe in 1980. Fortunately I can now give again and will on March 30, the first day I am eligible.

I really don't understand this policy. Meanwhile they let homosexual men donate blood as long as they claim not to have had any same-sex sexual activity in the past 12 months.

[Pining_4_TX]

In Oklahoma, at least, there is an alternative to the Red Cross. It’s the Oklahoma Blood Institute.

I used to donate fairly regularly, but they have such trouble finding my veins, that sometimes they stab me multiple times, dig around for my veins, the blood comes out really slowly, and I’m sore and bruised afterwards. I don’t understand because the women who work at my doctor’s office are really good.

[Fury]

I have been prohibited since the 90s, because I was in the Army in Europe during the mad cow years.

Worked with someone who was a dependent, whose dad was in USAFE in.

Told me that he stopped over at a table where they were setting up for a blood drive and asked if he could donate. He did not know that he couldn't. Said people checked their sheet and started staring at him. Apparently it was the first time they had run across a prohibited donor who was in Europe during the C-J scare. Prions - tough little things.

[goodnesswins]

Last time I got really sick, was when I gave blood...they don’t put paper covers on the pillows in the mobile blood van...and they are little petri dishes in and of themselves...If I could go somewhere like a lab....maybe I’d give again...I’m 0 positive...so I’d like to give

[Phil DiBasquette]

OK Influenzer

[cherry]

I’ve had a head cold with a cough....no fever and no aches and pains more than normal....I wonder if they would take me.....I’ve given over 7 gallons in my life...