Two Red Cross blood drives are scheduled in Evanston on Thursday, Aug. 27, as the organization urges North Shore residents to help replenish a national blood supply that has dropped to a four-year summer low.
The need is acute. The Red Cross declared only the second national blood supply crisis in its history after donations failed to keep pace with rising hospital demand during summer trauma season. The organization said its supply of type O positive blood has fallen below one day nationally, prompting it to limit distributions of that type to individual hospitals.
Type O positive accounts for roughly 60% of the Red Cross's blood distributions and can be given to about 80% of patients, according to the Guardian.
The Red Cross blamed the decline on extreme heat, poor air quality and widespread foodborne illnesses that have kept donors away this summer. The only previous time the organization declared a national blood crisis was January 2022.
Paul Sullivan, senior vice president of Red Cross donor services, said in a July 27 statement that the math is simpler than people might think. "If just three more donors gave at each blood drive this summer, we could help the blood supply rebound and ensure hospitals have the blood products they need throughout the remainder of the season," Sullivan said.
Chris Hrouda, president of Red Cross Biomedical Services, said in an Aug. 24 statement that donations are not keeping pace with hospital demand and that inventories of type O blood remain under significant strain. He called on everyone eligible to make an appointment as soon as possible.
As of Tuesday, Aug. 25, at least one Red Cross chapter director said the immediate emergency had eased somewhat due to donor response across communities, according to WDBJ7. But the organization stressed the need for donations continues.
Vitalant, a nonprofit blood services provider that also declared an emergency this summer, operates a walk-in donation center at 2436 Main St. in Evanston.
Upcoming North Shore blood drives
- Thursday, Aug. 27: Two Red Cross drives in Evanston (times and venues not yet posted)
- Sunday, Aug. 30: Wilmette
- Thursday, Sept. 3: Highland Park
Donors who give through Aug. 31 receive a $20 Amazon gift card by email, according to the Red Cross. Appointments can be made through the Blood Donor App, at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS.
About 62% of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood, but only about 3% do so each year.
