Donations still needed for healthy supply of blood in Colorado

During the season of holiday giving, Vitalant encourages people to consider giving blood donations to keep up a health supply.

Since the start of the pandemic, healthcare providers and donation centers like Vitalant have experienced critical shortages in blood supply. In September, the American Red Cross urged donors across the nation to contribute to a dwindling supply as the COVID-19 Delta variant surged and schools returned to in-person learning.

“We recognize that this is a trying time for our country as we balance the new demands of returning to former routines with the ongoing pandemic, but lifesaving blood donations remain essential for hospital patients in need of emergency and medical care that can’t wait,” said President of Red Cross Biomedical Services Chris Hrouda.

According to the Red Cross, someone in the U.S. needs blood or platelet infusions every two seconds and approximately 29,000 units of red blood cells are needed every day. Red blood cells must be used within 42 days and platelets within five days, the Red Cross states.

Brooke Way, communications manager for Vitalant, said the critical shortage from the summer and fall has improved somewhat but the need is ongoing. Vitalant is looking for platelet and type O donors especially, she explained.

“We’re still seeing the impact of COVID-19 on blood donations across the nation,” Way said. “In Colorado, the pandemic has forced 539 blood drives to cancel this year alone, resulting in more than 13,000 uncollected units of blood.”

Aside from the drives being cancelled due to pandemic restrictions, Vitalant sees an average of 6,000 fewer donations during December. This is often related to holiday schedules, weather conditions and flu season, Way explained.

Vitalant transports blood to hospitals all around the country, including local healthcare organizations like UCHealth and Centura Health. According to Lindsay Radford, director of communications at Centura Health, the hospitals aren’t in danger of running out but supplies are low this time of year.

“It’s the blood already on the shelf that helps in an emergency and that’s why it’s crucial for Vitalant to maintain a safe and ready supply at all times,” Way said. “What’s donated today is often transfused to patients within a week and we rely on donors to give blood regularly to keep up with patient demand.”

Donors must be at least 16 years old, weigh more than 110 lbs. and whole blood donations can be made every 56 days, according to the Red Cross. There is no waiting period for donors after they received flu or COVID vaccines, Way added. 

Vitalant has donation centers in Boulder and Westminster, Way said, and the organization is hosting public blood drives on three occasions in Longmont. The first, hosted by the Moose Lodge at 2200 Pratt Street will be from 10 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. on Dec. 13. Vitalant’s Bloodmobile will be parked at Longmont United Hospital, 1950 Mountain View Avenue, on Dec. 21 and 28 from 10 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.