Multiple US Governors Begin to Proclaim State Blood Donation Days to Fight Nationwide Blood Shortage
Multiple US Governors Begin to Proclaim State Blood Donation Days to Fight Nationwide Blood Shortage
Multiple governors are proclaiming state blood donation days in response to blood bank shortages throughout the country.
Each year multiple Governors declare state blood donation days to unite during National Blood Donation Week.
National Blood Donation Week is September 1 – 7th and this year National Blood Donation Day falls on September 4th, with many states declaring September 4th their State Blood Donation Day.
The summer and holiday season appear to be the “driest” in terms of donations. And with the COVID pandemic causing school and business closures, thousands of blood drives were cancelled. States and regions who could still hold drives can do so with social distancing measures and collect for areas of need.
According to the American Red Cross, 36,000 units of blood are needed in the U.S. every day.
Emergency rooms treating trauma victims, hospitals treating anemic patients, and medical clinics replenishing low blood levels in cancer patients require a steady supply of blood products.
38% of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood but less than 10% actually do.
Inconsistent donation patterns during the year result in unpredictable and reliable blood supply numbers, hence donation is requested year-round.
Vitalant, formerly known as United Blood Services, suggests donating three times a year.
This year, however, the COVID pandemic limited staff and resources of many governor’s offices resulting in some needing to suspend proclamation creations. Yet National Blood Donation Week will still take place the first week of September helping bring in vital blood supplies.
Some of the states proclaiming September 4th as their Blood Donation Day this year include:
- Alabama
- Delaware
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Louisiana
- Massachusetts
- Montana
- New Hampshire
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Arizona proclaimed September 1-7th Arizona Blood Donation Week.
with more to come.
To donate blood or host a blood drive, please visit the American Red Cross or Vitalant websites.
Some of the proclamations can be found here.
Daliah Wachs, MD, FAAFP is a nationally syndicated radio personality on GCN Network, KDWN, iHeart Radio and is a Board Certified Family Physician
@DrDaliah
