The need for blood is not letting up as more elective surgeries are happening as COVID-19 restrictions loosen up.
The Lima Kiwanis Club hearing from the Executive Director of the Northeast Indiana Chapter of the American Red Cross which includes Lima Allen County. In 2021 amidst the pandemic, just under 3,600 units of blood was collected in Allen County. Nationally, the Red Cross supplies 40% of the nation's blood supply. With the shortage of donors and blood drives and the increase in elective surgeries, some could be postponed, again.
Executive Director Olivia Lusher explains, “We have for several weeks just communicated with hospitals and there is a worry that elective surgeries would be postponed if the shortage of blood continues. We have to make sure if hospitals go into surgeries or go into elective surgeries that we’re able to handle any of the possible outcomes like having a blood transfusion.”
Log onto redcross.org and enter your zip code to find a donor day near you. You can also download their “rapid pass app” to fill out the paperwork before your appointment and the app allows you to track your blood's journey through the donation process.
