Because of the risk of exposure to COVID-19, many patients delayed their care and treatments and now as the pandemic recedes, procedures and surgeries are resuming and the need for blood donations is even more critical.
In 2020, over 1700 AHS patients received blood products with the majority of massive transfusions provided in the Highland Trauma center and just last week, AHS was notified of a severe blood shortage in the area.
World Blood Donor Day takes place on June 14 each year and its goal is to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and recognize the critical contribution of blood donors.
This year’s slogan, “Give blood and keep the world beating”, highlights the essential contribution donors make by saving lives and improving the health of others.
Despite challenges, throughout the pandemic people continued to donate blood and plasma to patients who needed transfusions. This extraordinary effort during a time of unprecedented crisis highlights the crucial role of our committed donors in ensuring a safe and sufficient blood supply during normal and emergency times.
Unfortunately, the Red Cross is now seeing fewer donations just as the nation begins to climb out of the pandemic. This downturn comes at a time when there’s a strong demand for blood products including platelets, causing concern for the sufficiency of the blood supply for this month and throughout the summer.
Since 2005, Alameda Hospital has partnered with the American Red Cross to host regular community blood drives. This long-standing partnership has resulted in over 3,300 products of blood collected that has helped save nearly 10,000 lives! COVID-19 resulted in the cancelation of several blood drives, but now with safety precautions in place, these much anticipated and essential drives have resumed.
Laura Condon, AHS Operations Supervisor for Health Information Management says she’s looking forward to being able to donate once again. “It’s been a while since I’ve been able to donate and I know that as more and more people are out and about, the need for blood is only going to be greater. Especially since it’s been such a challenging year for many. I feel like this is an opportunity to give back and make a meaningful difference in someone’s life and I appreciate the on-site blood drives at Alameda Hospital because they make it even easier to give”.
The next community blood drive at Alameda Hospital will be held on Friday, July 2, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. and appointments are required. You may sign up online at redcrossblood.org, sponsor code: Alameda.