(7/30/26) The Red Cross just declared the second US blood crisis in its history.
Summer sees both a drop off in donations and, at least for our trauma center, a spike in traumas. Trauma centers across the US are in danger of running out of blood for our trauma patients TODAY, which is very scary but, unlike much of the other scary national news coming across our screens these days, is something you can help fix immediately and directly.
We need ASAP donations of blood, for people to spread the word, and for manager types to help facilitate others' donations. All blood types are needed, but universal donor blood (type O) is especially dire.
Only 3% of age-eligible people donate blood and even less donate platelets, which are so important for cancer patients and babies. Please consider making blood donations a regular part of your community service! In the U.S., you can give whole blood every eight weeks and platelets up to 24 times a year.
Blood donation is relatively easy and provides an immediate impact to people in your community -- or even farther! The coolest thing the Red Cross does is tell you where your donations end up. My last donation got shipped from Utah all the way to the University of Philadelphia. (Enjoy my B+ vibes, Philly.)
Also, you get snacks and sometimes gift cards and free swag. If you squeeze a visit in by July 31, you can get a free Fandango movie ticket. (They're doing Hello Kitty swag in September and you bet your ass I already have appointments.)
If you're new to donating, some tips:
Drink plenty of water the night before and before your appointment. The more water, the more plump your veins are and the faster your goes.
Women often get deferred because of low iron levels. Over-the-counter iron supplements a few days before a donation will help boost your count, as will eating iron rich foods. (Cheerios are always my go-to iron boosters.) Don't schedule donations when you're menstruating.
If you are deferred for low iron or vital signs issues, you can try again within 24 hours.
If you've had a tattoo or piercing in the last three months, you will be deferred until a full three months have passed.
Don't donate on an empty stomach. Dehydration and low blood sugar contribution to fainting and dizzy spells.
After donating, don't exercise for 24 hours. You'll likely notice a dip in your tolerance for a few days after a donation as your system adjusts.
If you don't like needles, look away when they poke you and don't look at the donation site. They usually cover the needle during the donation process.
The initial poke does hurt, but the rest of the donation should be painless. If you feel burning, stinging, or any other abnormal sensation from the entry site, tell a phlebotomist and they'll help you out.
If you're like me and you have difficult veins, you can still give! Being hydrated, doing arm curls, and having an electrolyte drink can help plump your veins up. Ask for the most experienced phlebotomist on the floor to draw your blood. They're less likely to dig around or miss on a difficult vein.
While the majority of blood donations have zero issues, bad donations do happen. Sometimes it's a bad draw, an equipment issue, or your body just not cooperating; it sucks and it's not fun, but you'll usually come out of it with a bruise and know how you can make your experience better. Please don't give up because of one bad experience.
Giving blood is one of the coolest things we can do to help vulnerable people; you or someone you know will likely use donated blood in your lifetime.
Also, bring entertainment and headphones. I don't know that I've ever donated through Red Cross, but the local blood bank where I was donating every eight weeks for years, they always had the TV on and it was never something I wanted to watch. And while bringing a friend with plans to keep each other entertained sometimes works according to plan, sometimes you'll instead end up on opposite ends of the donation area.
[Image: White text on a red background. Text reads, "Warning: Blood Crisis. The American Red Cross has declared the second national blood crisis in its history. All blood types are needed, but the situation is especially dire for type O. The blood supply fell nearly 25% in June, and blood donations are now at a four-year summer low. Donors are asked to take action immediately to help save lives."]
Important note: While O- is the universal donor type for whole blood, AB is the universal donor type for platelets. If you have AB blood, platelet donation may be a better option for you than whole blood.
