TULSA — Early in July, the American Red Cross issued an emergency call for blood and platelet donations after a sharp drop in donors in May and June.
While that helped, with a 30% increase noted during the first couple weeks of July, blood supplies are being grabbed up by hospitals the moment they become available, according to Jan Hale, the communications manager of the Red Cross Southwest Blood Services Region.
The issue is that roughly one in five donors are college and high schools students who take part in blood drives at their schools.
“Every two seconds, somebody in our country needs blood,” Hale told KRMG Wednesday.
During the summer when schools aren’t in session, they’re much less likely to donate - but the demand for blood never stops.
She tells KRMG they’ve issued another emergency call for donors, and says they’ve made it easy as possible for people to find local blood drives.
To schedule an appointment to donate, use the Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Making an appointment saves time, as does completing the RapidPass health history online before going in to donate.