National blood shortages are resulting in demands for any and every blood type and the American Red Cross is offering rewards in exchange for donations. | Pixabay/Robert DeLaRosa
National blood shortages are resulting in demands for any and every blood type and the American Red Cross is offering rewards in exchange for donations. | Pixabay/Robert DeLaRosa
National blood shortages are resulting in demands for any and every blood type and the American Red Cross is offering rewards in exchange for donations.
The national shortage comes after an increase in trauma cases recently as well as normal treatments, which were foregone during the pandemic but are now being carried out.
“Some hospitals are being forced to slow the pace of elective surgeries until the blood supply stabilizes, delaying crucial patient care,” said Chris Hrouda, president of the Red Cross Biomedical Services.
The Red Cross delivered 75,000 more blood products than estimated throughout the past three months, resulting in the current shortage.
Additional cause for the shortage is the normal lag which occurs during the summer as donors travel, paired with fewer Americans being willing to take the time to donate.
Individuals who are 16 years of age or older and more than 110 pounds can donate in Wisconsin and are being encouraged to do so.
There are 13 open blood drives in Milwaukee in the month of July. Donors are encouraged to give and will be entered in a competition to win gasoline for a year upon donating blood.
Appointments can be made online to donate blood or platelets.
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