By WMBD-TV

PEORIA – The American Red Cross of Illinois stresses the ever-present demand for all blood types at its central Illinois locations and surrounding areas.

Jayce Eustice, communications manager with the nonprofit, said this month, blood and platelet donors are critically needed to support lifesaving transfusions this summer.

“Donors of all blood types are in demand, especially those with type O blood and donors giving platelets,” he said.

He said that every donation counts to maintain blood product stocks for patients who need them despite busy summer travel and holiday plans when accidents could happen.

“While summer can be full of vacations and outdoor fun, it’s also recognized as a time of higher risk for car accidents, especially among teen drivers,” he said. “A single car accident victim may require as many as 100 units of blood.”

More than a quarter of all blood products each year are used in critical care and emergency room situations, highlighting the importance of generous blood and platelet donors, he said.  

The Red Cross continues to “educate blood drive sponsors, current donors and the general public that the need for blood is constant and hospital patients don’t get a vacation from needing lifesaving transfusions,” he said.

The nonprofit also can’t stockpile blood, so vacation activities, severe weather and other natural disasters such as Hurricane Beryl are a “real threat to the blood supply.”

“The need for blood is constant,” he said.

• Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood.
• Every day, the Red Cross must collect more than 12,000 blood donations for patients at about 2,500 hospitals nationwide.
• The American Red Cross is still working to help overcome a nearly 20,000 donation shortfall that occurred in May, partially due to a series of inclement weather in large parts of the country.

Eustice said severe summer storms and weather events like hurricanes, flooding and tornadoes can strike at any time and can disrupt the ability to collect enough blood products for patients who need immediate care.

“It’s the blood on the shelves that helps in times of emergency,” he said.

Many communities throughout the country have been significantly impacted by the second most active tornado season on record, according to the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center, he said.

As these communities work to recover, historic heat waves are further affecting many parts of the country.  

“Unfortunately, meteorologists expect more powerful and destructive weather to continue in the months to come as the effects of the climate crisis continue,” he said. “A stable blood supply is vital to national preparedness in the face of these events.”

Eustice also said blood and platelets are needed every two seconds for accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease.

If you are able to donate, the nonprofit encourages you to enter your zip code to find an upcoming blood drive in your area here.

You can also call 1-800-733-2767 or download the Red Cross Blood Donor App to sign up and make a blood donation that helps save lives.

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