The Red Cross says it's facing a critical shortage in its blood supply to local hospitals.It's asking the public to consider donating blood as urgently as possible.Blood donations typically slow down in the summer, but a Red Cross spokesperson says this year is different."We are struggling, to be honest, to be able to meet the needs of our hospitals right now," Chief Medical Officer Dr. Pampee Young said. "We cannot provide all the blood that they're asking for."Young says the problem is two-fold: The supply of blood is down as potential donors coming out of the pandemic are traveling more to see family, while on the other hand, demand from hospitals is increasing as they catch up on surgeries that were postponed during the pandemic.Hospitals are not only trying to catch up on elective surgeries, but they're also seeing an increase in trauma and organ transplants, which require a lot of blood, Young said."We're also telling our hospitals the criticality of the situation, trying to ask them to slow down the pace of their elective surgeries," Young said.In the Piedmont Triad, Wake Forest Baptist Health said in a statement it has an "adequate blood supply to care for its patients," but stressed the importance of donating blood.Novant Health also released a statement to WXII 12 News."We are seeing an impact on our internal inventory. That said, Novant Health hospitals work together to manage our inventory and ensure patient care continues as usual," the statement reads in part.Cone Health said in a statement that blood supplies at the hospital are being managed "very tightly" but the shortage hasn't impacted care.Cone Health also said it relies on OneBlood for its supply, not the Red Cross.The Red Cross says it is the single largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States. Dr. Young appeals to the public for help."I just ask the American people to come in and donate, but also to spread the word. Tell your friends and family how important this is and what the critical need for blood right now is," Young said.The Red Cross says over the last three months, it has distributed 75,000 more units than it expected.Those who donate by the end of June can get a $5 Amazon gift card.
The Red Cross says it's facing a critical shortage in its blood supply to local hospitals.
It's asking the public to consider donating blood as urgently as possible.
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Blood donations typically slow down in the summer, but a Red Cross spokesperson says this year is different.
"We are struggling, to be honest, to be able to meet the needs of our hospitals right now," Chief Medical Officer Dr. Pampee Young said. "We cannot provide all the blood that they're asking for."
Young says the problem is two-fold: The supply of blood is down as potential donors coming out of the pandemic are traveling more to see family, while on the other hand, demand from hospitals is increasing as they catch up on surgeries that were postponed during the pandemic.
Hospitals are not only trying to catch up on elective surgeries, but they're also seeing an increase in trauma and organ transplants, which require a lot of blood, Young said.
"We're also telling our hospitals the criticality of the situation, trying to ask them to slow down the pace of their elective surgeries," Young said.
In the Piedmont Triad, Wake Forest Baptist Health said in a statement it has an "adequate blood supply to care for its patients," but stressed the importance of donating blood.
Novant Health also released a statement to WXII 12 News.
"We are seeing an impact on our internal inventory. That said, Novant Health hospitals work together to manage our inventory and ensure patient care continues as usual," the statement reads in part.
Cone Health said in a statement that blood supplies at the hospital are being managed "very tightly" but the shortage hasn't impacted care.
Cone Health also said it relies on OneBlood for its supply, not the Red Cross.
The Red Cross says it is the single largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States.
Dr. Young appeals to the public for help.
"I just ask the American people to come in and donate, but also to spread the word. Tell your friends and family how important this is and what the critical need for blood right now is," Young said.
The Red Cross says over the last three months, it has distributed 75,000 more units than it expected.
Those who donate by the end of June can get a $5 Amazon gift card.
June 20, 2021 at 10:06PM
https://www.wxii12.com/article/north-carolina-red-cross-blood-supply-shortage-donations/36777623
North Carolina: Red Cross faces 'critical' blood supply shortage, urges public to donate - WXII12 Winston-Salem
https://news.google.com/search?q=Red&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en
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