The following statement has been issued by AABB, America’s Blood Centers and the American Red Cross regarding the status of the nation’s blood supply:
The blood supply in the United States is critically low and the majority of the country’s blood centers are reporting significant declines in their blood collections. As the nation confronts new surges of COVID-19 cases, AABB, America’s Blood Centers and the American Red Cross are joining together to urge eligible individuals to make and keep an appointment to donate blood now.
Since the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, the blood community has experienced unprecedented fluctuations in both supply and the need for blood. A variety of events—including wildfires in the western states, recent hurricanes and other storms—have led to additional disruptions to the collection of blood, compounding the impact of canceled blood drives at schools, businesses and community organizations due to remote work and closures. At the same time, the need for blood continues to increase as more hospitals throughout the country resume normal surgery schedules and more patients require blood.
The impact of COVID-19 as flu season approaches could further compound challenges to maintaining a readily available blood supply for patients in need of life-saving treatments this fall and winter. Blood donors are needed now to help maintain the adequacy of the blood supply and to ensure that blood is available.
Blood has a short shelf life and the supply must constantly be replenished. Blood donors are needed now and will continue to be needed to ensure patients continue to have access to blood products throughout the remainder of 2020.
The blood community is grateful to the heroic volunteers who selflessly give blood during this pandemic. While there are many uncertainties about the months ahead, one thing that remains constant is the need for blood. Blood collection organizations adhere to the highest standards of safety and infection control, and donors are needed to help save lives. AABB, America’s Blood Centers and the American Red Cross are asking all healthy, eligible individuals to make an appointment today and in the weeks and months to come.