Appointments nearly booked after American Red Cross faces ‘severe blood shortage’

Nationwide, there have been nearly 10,000 blood drives that have had to close.

Blood drives across the country have had to cancel due to the growing coronavirus pandemic. The American Red Cross says they have never seen a severe blood shortage that has impacted so much of the country before. The response and support they got from people within the last two weeks was overwhelming.

“We saw blood drives where people were waiting for hours to give blood,” said a representative with American Red Cross, Samantha Pollard. “It is so amazing to see people spend their time just to do something to help a stranger when it’s needed like that.”

Nationwide, there have been nearly 10,000 blood drives that have had to close, that equals about 300,000 donations cancelled. The American Red Cross says they are close to being booked. They are asking people to set up appointments for 3 weeks out, maybe even a month.

“We need blood constantly so instead of rushing to give blood right now, if you have not already made an appointment to do so just wait a little bit and then come see us later,” said Pollard.

Pollard says the support from Nebraska has been especially noted as they bonded together in a similar way during historic flooding.

“They donated money, they donated supplies, they donated their time and there is a need right now and people are coming out to donate their blood so it’s been an incredible response to Nebraska and we are grateful for that,” Pollard said.

Pollard says it is safe to give blood. They have been taking people’s temperature before giving blood, they have had to send people home who have had a temperature above 99.5.

“We don’t know what the end looks like and we don’t know how long this is going to go on so to see this kind of response just has been really great and it helps you sleep better at night knowing that blood is still going to the patients that need it,” said Pollard.