Opinion: Young donors need to roll up their sleeves to help blood shortage
With Thanksgiving behind us and the holidays up ahead, most of us are starting our hunt for the perfect present during the season of giving. Instead of scrolling through online stores (or TikTok) for hours on end, why not spend one of those hours gifting your blood to help a patient in need?
Someone requires blood every two seconds in this country. With blood transfusions utilized for everything from injuries to cancer treatments, the daily demand for blood reaches unimaginable levels in the United States: 29,000 pints. The pandemic exacerbated this demand for blood. Increased hospitalization and delayed surgeries due to COVID-19 continue to drain the blood supply.
In addition, the emergence of new variants dramatically dropped donor turnout — leading to extreme shortages. As recently as September 2021, the Red Cross announced blood shortages caused by the lowest blood donor turnout of the year, which likely stemmed from concerns over the delta variant. According to Chris Hrouda, president of the Red Cross Biomedical Services, “Throughout the pandemic, we have experienced challenges collecting blood for patients from blood drive cancellations to surging hospital demand. Now with decreased blood donor turnout, our Red Cross blood supply has dropped to the lowest it has been at this time of year since 2015.”
How can we combat poor donor turnout?
How can we combat the decreasing blood supply?
The key to solving blood shortage issues lies with unlocking the potential of young donors. America needs young blood.
While volunteering with the Red Cross as a blood donor ambassador, I noticed most donors originated from my parents’ generation (41-56 years old) or older. My generation (Gen-Z) and millennials consistently lack in our performance at blood drives. For instance, donors over the age of 50 hold responsibility for approximately 45% of donations while only 12% of millennials donate regularly. I felt disappointed with my fellow Gen Zers and millennials; for a generation that exudes activism and equity, blood donation missed the mainstream.
A combination of two factors — uncertainty and fear — disable our generation from becoming regular blood donors. As a recent first-time donor myself, I know the concerns that come with being a first-time donor during the pandemic. Before my first donation, I asked myself the same questions: Am I eligible? Is it safe to donate? Will I faint?
Educating ourselves about blood donation eliminates uncertainty and initiates action. For most donors our age, eligibility to donate entails three requirements:
1. Only individuals older than 17 years may donate.
2. The donor must weigh 110 lbs.
3. During the time of donation, the donor must present in good health.
More detailed requirements on the Red Cross’ website clarifies eligibility for potential donors on medication or ones with diseases.
Safety fears during the pandemic raise another concern for young donors. Donating blood morphs into a hazardous venture during a time when even a trip to the grocery store carries risk of catching the coronavirus. However, the Red Cross upholds strict safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at blood drives. For instance, facial mask requirements regardless of vaccination status and temperature checks for each donor and staff member offer preliminary methods of prevention. Thorough sterilization of high touch surfaces and the use of fresh collection kits for each donor, risks of spreading the coronavirus stays drastically reduced. Importantly, understanding that respiratory viruses — like coronavirus — cannot transmit through blood transfusions helps ease concern regarding safety of blood donation.
Now more than ever, our nation needs our blood. I implore my peers to roll up their sleeves and combat the current blood shortages to help save lives. Inspire others to donate. Show the impact of young blood. Become a donor.