Red Cross Is Facing a Critical Blood Shortage and Is Urging People to Donate

The Red Cross is urging people to donate blood amid an emergency blood and platelet shortage.   

Meghan Lehman, a spokesperson for the Michigan Region of the American Red Cross, says the nonprofit is experiencing historically low blood supply levels. The Red Cross is especially looking for people to step up who’ve never given blood before.  

“It is a critical situation that we need to collect at least 10,000 more blood products each week just to meet the needs of patients and hospitals across the country.” –Meghan Lehman, Michigan Region of the American Red Cross

She says donations are used to save lives whether they go to a car crash survivor or a new mother who needs a transfusion after giving birth.  

“It is a critical situation that we need to collect at least 10,000 more blood products each week just to meet the needs of patients and hospitals across the country,” Lehman says.  

Lehman says the pandemic appears to be deterring donations, which have been historically low since the fall, but she says people are eligible to donate regardless of their vaccination status and COVID-19 history. 

Lehman says the donation process takes about an hour from start to finish. “Giving blood is really a relatively easy way to make a huge difference in the lives of our neighbors. One donation can save up to three lives.”  

The American Red Cross of the Michigan Region has six chapters and nine Blood Donation Centers throughout the state. To find out more information or how to donate blood, click here. 

Listen: Meghan Lehman of the American Red Cross explains why blood supply is low.