Blood donation need increasing during holiday season

Blood donation need increasing during holiday season

Could be a dry donation season.

The november- december months typically see a decrease in donations.

And the covid-19 pandemic has only amplified the issue.

News 18's micah upshaw tells us how the organization is working to capture donors.

:15 m: this holiday season is bringing a unique challenge for blood donation centers.

While covid-19 safety concerns is linked to the decrease in donors -- the virus is increasing the need for more blood.

B: doctors offices, the places that usually take our blood products, that need has not slowed down and it doesn't slow down really at anytime during the year.

M: brice johnson is the executive director of the american red cross central chapter of the indiana region.

He says typically in the u.s. -- there are 12 to 13-thousand blood transfusions needed a day.

And part of those transfusions go to hospitalized covid-19 patients.

B: we've started to actually test all of our blood donations for covid-19 antibodies to see if that blood can be used in a convalescent plasma situation.

M: covid-19 patients across the nation are seeing success with this convalescent plasma treatment.

It's been helping speed up recovery, lessen symptoms and overall save lives.

B: blood donations save lives, that's the bottom line.

M: johnson says the red cross is hoping to incentivize people to donate through a partnership with country music singer martina mcbride.

They've also partnered with suburban propane to giveaway outdoor living space appliances.

B: it's really important for people of all populations and ethnic backgrounds to come out and actually give blood because there's a real opportunity for them to save lives.

M: reporting in tippecanoe county, micah upshaw.

News 18.

The tippecanoe county red cross branches are taking blood donations by appointment.

You can learn how to schedule one on our website wlfi.com.

Happening tomorrow -- logansport memorial hospital will