NORFOLK, Va. — The American Red Cross is entering summer facing a critical need.
"We're already low in terms of our supply now, significantly less than our goal of having a five-day supply of those key blood types on our shelves," said Regional Communication Director Jonathan McNamara.
The nonprofit supplies about 40% of the nation's blood supply, but its blood and platelet reserves were hit hard last month after deadly storms swept across the country. From hail to damaging thunderstorm winds, May had the most severe weather in the U.S. in 13 years.
"We've had severe weather impacts in states like Iowa, Tennessee [and] Texas," McNamara said." Where those states experienced those weather [impacts], they had a significant impact on the number of blood drives that they could host in those communities."
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Tornadoes and powerful storms hit the central and southern U.S. over Memorial Day Weekend. The holiday also marked the start of the 100 deadliest days of summer for teen drivers.
McNamara said tragedies like these increase the demand for blood products.
"A person who is a trauma victim that comes into a hospital here in Virginia can sometimes use over a hundred units of blood," McNamara said. "That means a hundred donors had to come to the American Red Cross to support our blood drives to support potentially one patient."
Summer travel is delivering another blow to the blood supply. Five of the busiest travel days ever recorded happened last month, and more record-breaking levels are expected this summer.
"That comes at a time where high schools and colleges are also out for their summer sessions, which are a big supporter of the Red Cross in terms of blood collected," McNamara said.
Now, the Red Cross is bracing for a potentially record-breaking hurricane season, which began June 1. It's why McNamara said the time to donate is now.
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"When we see hurricanes in communities across the country, whether they're impacting Virginia nor anywhere that they do, we see significant numbers of blood drives canceled," McNamara said. "It really makes the next couple of weeks really critical for us to make sure that we're increasing our supply, so that if there is an event somewhere in the country or here in Virginia that, again, we have the blood on the shelves that we need."
Cities across Hampton Roads are answering the call to help replenish the blood and platelet supply. The friendly competition between Chesapeake, Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Hampton, Portsmouth, Suffolk, the Eastern Shore, Poquoson, Williamsburg, Isle of Wight County and Franklin helps the Red Cross supply local hospitals with the blood needed to serve communities during the summer months.
The Mayor's Cup Blood Drive runs until August 30. Click here to find a blood drive near you. You can also call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App. All blood types are needed to replenish the supply and save lives.
"Our blood supply needs to reflect the communities in which we serve," McNamara said. "So, maintaining a diverse blood supply is really important when we're dealing with a shortage."
If you donate by June 9, you'll receive an exclusive Tetris American Red Cross T-shirt. You'll also be entered for a chance to win a trip to New York to meet Tetris creator Alexey Pajitnov as part of the video game's 40th anniversary and efforts to build the blood supply for patients in need. Click here for details.
You can also support the Red Cross by volunteering, which makes up more than 90% of the nonprofit's work. The nonprofit needs ambassadors at blood drives, transportation specialists, deployment crews, and more. Click here for more information and to apply for available positions.
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