In July of this year, the American Red Cross announced a 25% decrease in the national blood supply. Seeing as the Red Cross has received the least amount of blood donors in history for the last twenty years, this widespread shortage does not come as a surprise. Yet, as hospitals continue to function with a subpar blood supply, more and more patient’s lives and treatments are compromised.
The Red Cross is urging citizens to make blood donations which could help save car accident victims, emergency surgery patients, and more. Fortunately, this national crisis comes just in time for Pre-Med Club’s annual blood drive with the Versiti Blood Center. I spoke with Donor Recruitment Representative Kashiun Pierce, who provided insight into how the group is dealing with the shortage and how they stand to benefit from the blood drive.
How have you witnessed the real-life impact of the national blood shortage firsthand?
Without blood donors during this shortage, I would not be here today. Our mission actually helped me personally during a critical time of need. I needed over 9 units of blood and had 2 surgeries to survive. I am beyond grateful, thankful, and will advocate for our mission every day.
Most people just assume blood donations are used for transfusions, emergency surgery, etc. who else requires blood donations that we may not know about?
Did you know that about 37 out of every 100 Americans are eligible to donate blood – but only 3 to 4 people donate each year? That means the lifesaving gift of blood donation is often left untapped, and first-time donors play a crucial role in closing that gap. Cancer patients rely on the generous hearts of blood donors regularly. Even during a shortage, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy need blood.Some patients with sickle cell can require frequent blood transfusions and hospital stays as part of their treatment. Providing blood that is closely matched is critical. Patients experience the best outcomes when they receive life saving donations from individuals of similar ethnic backgrounds. Increasing these numbers helps us provide a better quality of life for patients of all races and ethnicities and may be the difference between life and death for a patient in need.
What would you say to a first-time donor who is nervous about giving blood?
First Time Donors are world changers for many patients.
The current donor base is aging, and many long-time donors are becoming users of blood products themselves. Recruiting new donors ensures we can meet the growing demand for blood products and help those in critical need. Regular donors may not always be available to donate blood due to health, donor availability (holidays, travel schedule, etc.), and other variables. Having a continuous influx of first-time donors helps sustain the blood supply. New donors can diversify the blood supply, increasing the chances that rare and less common blood types will be available when they are critically needed.
Pre-Med Club President Eva Fetahagic ‘25 urges club members and other students to donate as well, sharing her own experience as a blood donor and motivation for newcomers.
What can Brebeuf students do to actively combat the national blood shortage and why?
What Brebeuf students can actively do to help the blood shortage is to DONATE BLOOD!! Either through our blood drive on November 11th or at a local blood donation center! Each time a person donated blood they can save three lives so every bit makes a difference.
What’s it like to give blood with Versiti?
I have donated with Versiti twice before, once my sophomore year and also my junior year. Both times I have donated, the woman who had helped me was so kind and talked with me throughout the process! They always make sure that all the donors are well attended to by providing plenty of delicious snacks. My memories with Versiti have always been positive and I can’t wait to donate again this year!
How would you encourage students to donate?
What I would say to encourage people to donate is that donating blood is a very simple process. It is so easy to sign up, with both of the links in the Pre-Med Instagram bio, along with the overall process which takes about 20 minutes. Along with the simplicity, knowing that you can directly impact at least three people’s lives can be just as rewarding!!
