Steve Cuanan with American Red Cross Kentucky says one big factor makes this particular call for donations different from those you’ve heard in the past.
"The need for blood is constant throughout the year. What's intensifying that need for donors to give right now is the nation is experiencing the lowest number of people giving blood in the past 20 years," he explains. "In fact, the number of people giving blood to the Red Cross has fallen by more than 300,000 individuals since just 2019."
Though some of the blame can be put at the feet of the pandemic, Cuanan says it’s not a sustainable level – especially with future impacts on the horizon.
"Additional challenges lie ahead as winter weather and seasonal illnesses compound the blood supply situation the nation is currently facing," he noted.
And even a small dip in donors can create serious shortages, he said.
The Red Cross is asking anyone who can give to consider doing do via the Red Cross Donor App, redcrossblood.org, or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.
