The COVID pandemic has affected us all in many ways. All of the lockdowns – stay at home and social distancing guidelines – has also created a national blood shortage. This has the potential to be devastating in an emergency situation.
It is understandable when you think about it. When the pandemic closed everything down, community blood drives were cancelled. Most often they take place in churches, synagogues and schools. Where one area of the county used to hold 550 blood drives a month, because of the pandemic they were down to just over 100.
According to the American Red Cross, 36,000 units of donated blood are needed every day in the United States. Did you know that one car accident could require the use of 100 units of blood? The American Cancer Society says more than 1.8 million people are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in 2021. Many of those patients will need blood, sometimes daily, during chemotherapy treatment.
There is no substitute for blood and no way to manufacture it – so the Red Cross and other organizations depend on volunteer donors. The shortage has become so acute that some areas are offering promotions to encourage donations. You could win a trip to the Indianapolis 500 or tickets to see the Hartford Yard Goats.
We are very fortunate that the Metro New York North chapter of the Red Cross is based here in Greenwich. In addition to serving our community they provide blood services as well as emergency services to Westchester and Rockland Counties – and West Point. There is quite a lot that they do that we only see when there is a natural disaster or significant emergency.
However, the national blood shortage has now become a significant emergency. What can you do? Donate blood! It is easy. During the “Battle of the Badges” this winter, when the Greenwich Police and Fire departments, as well as GEMS, competed to see who would donate the most blood, they invited to public to participate as well.
Our Publisher, Beth Barhydt, gamely participated, believing that if it was important enough to put on that week’s front page of the paper it was important enough for herself to donate. She reported that it was “easy” and “fun.” She was able to decide which team (or badge) her donation would be counted towards. While she declined to identify which team she chose for the record, given her previous outpouring of support of the police department, we suspect that that is where her unit of blood was tallied.
Stephanie Dunn Ashley, who took over as CEO of the Metro New York North chapter of the Red Cross during the height of the pandemic, commented: “The need for blood is constant and volunteer donors are the only source for those in need. Patients in need of blood are counting on the generosity of blood donors. Type O blood is the most needed blood group by hospitals but is often in short supply. I invite my neighbors in Greenwich to roll up their sleeves to help save lives today.”
This Saturday you have an opportunity to help alleviate the blood shortage crisis. You can donate at a blood drive at Greenwich Country Day School. It is happening from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Because of COVID you need to register in advance. You can do so at www.redcrossblood.org. From check-in until you leave takes about an hour, although the actual blood draw takes about 10 minutes.
It does not matter your reason for donating – it can be for the cookies or to deny mosquitoes their chance this summer. But one thing is certain – you will feel good having done so and you will be saving someone’s life in the process. Please sign-up and donate this Saturday.
