Champaign Community Urged to Donate Blood Amid National Shortage

The American Red Cross is facing a severe blood shortage, the most critical in the past 20 years, prompting an urgent call for donors in Champaign and across the nation. Currently, the Red Cross blood supply has plummeted to alarmingly low levels, impacting the availability of vital blood and platelet supplies necessary for lifesaving medical procedures.

In the last two decades, blood donations to the Red Cross have decreased by approximately 40%. This decline means that even minor disruptions to blood donations can significantly affect blood product availability. The situation became particularly dire during the recent holiday season when a shortfall of nearly 7,000 blood units occurred between Christmas and New Year’s Day. This gap has led to blood products being distributed to hospitals at a faster rate than donations are received, compelling the Red Cross to limit distributions of type O blood, one of the most needed blood types.

Dr. Eric Gehrie, the executive physician director for the Red Cross, emphasized the gravity of the situation. “One of the most distressing situations for a doctor is to have a hospital full of patients and an empty blood bank,” he said. “Doctors often can’t operate without blood available to make surgeries, medical procedures, and treatments possible.” Dr. Gehrie also warned of additional challenges due to potential severe winter weather and seasonal illnesses, which may exacerbate the already critical blood supply issue.

Residents of Champaign and the surrounding areas are encouraged to respond to this emergency by donating blood. To schedule an appointment, individuals can download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

In an effort to bolster blood donations, the Red Cross has partnered with the National Football League (NFL) this January, during National Blood Donor Month. Donors are not only contributing to a life-saving cause but also stand a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. Details of this offer can be found at RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl.

Local blood donation opportunities are available in Champaign and Urbana:

• Urbana Rising Hope Church, 408 E. Illinois St: January 12, 2024, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Illini Union, 1401 W Green St: January 25, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Red Cross urges donors of all blood types, especially those with type O blood and platelet donors, to come forward and help address this emergency situation. Your donation could be the difference in a life-saving medical procedure.