ABC and our international division, ADRP: The Association for Blood Donor Professionals, recently released the second edition of the U.S. Blood Donation Statistics and Public Messaging Guide. This comprehensive guide delves into the dynamic landscape of blood donation and transfusion in the United States, providing invaluable insights to better understand and address the evolving needs of donors and the blood supply.
This resource includes more than 40 verified statistics that offer crucial insights into America’s blood supply and its donors. Here are some key highlights from the latest edition that shed light on important trends and challenges facing the blood community:
Gender Shift: The data reveals a significant shift in the gender composition of donors, with female donors now constituting 54.1% and male donors making up 45.9% of the overall donor base. This marks a notable departure from the 2019 statistics, where male donors accounted for 51% and female donors for 49%.
Minority Donors: There has been a concerning 35.4% decrease in minority donors in 2021 compared to 2019, indicating an urgent need to boost the number of donors from underrepresented minority groups.
Impact of COVID-19: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on blood donation, particularly affecting younger donors due to the cancellation of school-based drives. In 2021, there was a 60.7% drop in donations from 16–18-year-olds and a 31.9% decrease in donations from 19–24-year-olds compared to 2019.
Changing Age Demographics: The data also reflects a 40.7% increase in donors aged 65 and older in 2021 compared to 2019, underscoring the necessity for targeted recruitment efforts aimed at younger generations.
To make these compelling new statistics more accessible, the second edition includes downloadable infographics that visually depict these trends. Additionally, downloadable graphics have been provided, tailored for sharing across various online platforms and for printing for display, amplifying efforts to raise awareness and inspire potential donors. We invite you to download the guide and share this vital resource with your stakeholders, partners, and the media.
By leveraging these insights, we can collectively work towards addressing the challenges and opportunities within the blood donation landscape. ABC continues to advocate for public policy that promotes the value of blood to patients, communities, and the healthcare system as part of our Advocacy Agenda. This includes working to increase diversity in the donor base to ensure blood products are available for frequently transfused patients like those living with sickle cell disease or Thalassemia. This includes working to increase diversity in the donor base and increase patient access to life-saving blood transfusions. These efforts are critical for frequently transfused patients like those living with sickle cell disease and Thalassemia and patients experiencing trauma or receiving hospice services.
We thank members of ABC’s Scientific, Medical, and Technical Committee and ADRP’s Marketing Resource Committee, whose invaluable contributions have shaped this essential resource.
Learn more by downloading the U.S. Blood Donation Statistics and Public Messaging Guide and take action today to support the blood supply.