Massive Shortfall In Blood Donations Prompts Calls For SoCal To Step Up

The American Red Cross announced it is experiencing a national emergency shortage of blood, and the number of people giving blood is at a 20-year low.

The Red Cross contributes about 40% of the nation’s blood supply.

The organization said there was a nearly 7,000-unit shortfall in blood donations between Christmas and New Year's Day alone, which can have drastic consequences for people who are in need of lifesaving transfusions.

An uptick in respiratory illnesses and inclement weather have also contributed.

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Joanne Nowlin, CEO of the Los Angeles Regional American Red Cross, said Thursday that the organization gave area hospitals notice in December that unless more blood was collected, it could affect local hospital operations.

“If we cannot provide enough blood, then those really important elective surgeries start getting put off,” Nowlin said. “Delaying care that they need so that we can retain the blood supply for those trauma patients.”

Red Cross officials did not provide specifics on the size of the blood shortage in L.A. County.

According to the organization, the average red blood cell transfusion is approximately three units, and a single car accident victim can require as many as 100 units of blood. About one unit of blood, roughly a pint, is collected during a typical donation.

“There is no replacement for blood,” Nowlin said. ”The only source for those hospital needs is a donor’s arm.”

Storms across the country also closed many traditional blood drive locations in recent weeks.

“In L.A. in particular, we have the opportunity to do more, because we’re blessed with some pretty great weather,” Nowlin said.

The holiday slump contributed to the national shortage, coupled with an increase in cases of respiratory viruses like flu and COVID-19, which causes people to cancel blood donations.

This week, the Red Cross kicked off its 18th annual Battle of the Badges blood drive, which will run through March. During the competition, first responders — including police, sheriff’s deputies, fire personnel and paramedics — compete to see which agencies can donate the most blood to help ease the shortage and inspire more of the public to give blood.

“We want to be part of the solution,” said L.A. Fire Chief Kristin Crowley, who said the department has participated in the competition for 17 years.

More than 50,000 pints of blood have been donated in Southern California since the Battle of the Badges blood drive began in 2007, according to the Red Cross. The collection goal this year is 3,000 units.

New rules ease donation restrictions on gay and bisexual men

The Red Cross announced changes last year to its blood donation rules, following the lead of the Food and Drug Administration. For decades the FDA said it was trying to protect the blood supply from HIV by restricting donations from gay and bisexual men. Now, instead of using sexual orientation, the agency is focusing on sexual behavior.

Previously, the FDA had a lifetime ban that prevented men who have sex with men from donating blood. It was relaxed a few times, but the latest change now allows monogamous gay and bisexual men to give blood. The shift toward more gender-neutral questions now prohibits anyone who’s had a new or multiple sexual partners in the last three months and anyone who had anal sex.

Potential donors are also asked about their overall health and whether they have COVID-19 symptoms. Each unit of blood donated in the U.S. is routinely screened for disease pathogens, including coronavirus.

How to donate blood

Donated blood is separated into three different "blood products," including red cells, platelets and plasma. Each has its own shelf life and is used in different treatments, from cancer care to childbirth.

You can make an appointment to donate blood at an American Red Cross site here, or by calling (800) RED-CROSS, or (800) 733-2767.