As communities and as citizens, we are being called to come together and help others in ways that we have not seen in this generation. Between taking steps to limit the spread of COVID-19 and caring for those who have been affected by the wide-ranging impacts it has had on the economy, it truly is an unprecedented time for outreach, charity, and support.
Nearly everyone and every group continues to struggle in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Small businesses walk even closer to the red line than usual, families cope with uncertainty, churches grapple to balance safety with faith, and charitable organizations face even smaller donations and even fewer volunteer resources.
As these struggles occur, even they have a trickle-down effect that illustrates just how tightly the fabric of our lives are woven and gets to the very hearts of our communities.
“More than 80 percent of blood donations are made at blood drives hosted by schools and community organizations, and as a result of COVID-19, schools have closed and many blood drive hosts are working remotely from home,” says Tiffany Taylor, external communications manager for the Red Cross Tennessee Valley Region.
“This has caused many to cancel drives. Therefore, hundreds of thousands of blood donors who typically donate at these drives no longer have a nearby donation opportunity.”
“This spring and summer, more than 866 blood drives have been cancelled due to COVID-19 related concerns, resulting in over 24,010 units of blood uncollected in the American Red Cross Tennessee Valley Blood Services Region, which includes Western Kentucky,” Tiffany says.
Unfortunately, the blood drive collection crisis comes at a time when there is a correlating increase in the need for their life-saving service.
To fill even the organization’s basic blood supply needs, the number seems overwhelming.
“Here in the Tennessee Valley Region, we need to collect approximately 323 blood donations each and every day to meet the needs of patients,” Tiffany says.
Add into that number a global pandemic that is spreading and filling up hospitals in waves and the need becomes even more staggering.
“Right now, the Red Cross has an emergency shortage of convalescent plasma due to an increased demand as the number of coronavirus cases increases across the U.S.,” Tiffany says.
“Convalescent plasma products are now being distributed faster than donations are coming in.”
In addition to being part of the virus treatment, the Red Cross is striving to simultaneously help bring more knowledge and awareness about the virus and how it spreads.
“On June 15, we began testing all blood, platelet, and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies,” Tiffany says.
“We recognize that individuals and public health organizations desire more information about COVID-19, and as an organization dedicated to helping others, the Red Cross is fortunate to be able to help during this pandemic.”
Tiffany says our region has stepped up to help meet that critical need.
“Since April, thousands of COVID-19 survivors have rolled up their sleeves to give convalescent plasma, enabling the Red Cross to collect and distribute over 23,000 potentially lifesaving convalescent plasma products to hospitals nationwide. In the Tennessee Valley Blood Services Region, which includes Western Kentucky, 256 donors have given convalescent plasma, resulting in 466 units provided to hospital patients,” she says.
The effort to meet the increased need despite the reduction in resources continues for the Red Cross, Tiffany says.
“To make up for cancelled drives, Red Cross continues to work to partner with organizations who have the capacity to host drives, and we’ve also added blood drives at many of our Red Cross offices throughout the region,” she says.
“Red Cross urgently needs the help of both blood donors and blood drive hosts to ensure blood products are readily available for patients.”
But for Tiffany and the Red Cross, their COVID-19 efforts are viewed as simply an extension of what they do best.
“Kentuckians count on the Red Cross for help every day, and supporting the community is at the heart of what we do,” she says.
“Whether we are supplying blood products for surgery, cancer, or trauma patients in need of transfusion, collecting plasma to help treat seriously ill COVID-19 patients, or helping families after disasters by providing a safe place to stay and food to eat, our work never stops.”
“Even during this coronavirus crisis, we remain focused on delivering our lifesaving mission with the help of generous volunteers who help us turn compassion into action.”
How Can You Be Part of the Solution?
GIVE: If you are feeling well, please make an appointment to give blood by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.
HOST: Learn more and sign up to sponsor a drive by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/HostADrive.
SUPPORT: The Red Cross continues to need volunteers to support the collection and delivery of lifesaving blood. To learn more about volunteer opportunities in Western Kentucky, visit www.redcross.org/volunteer.
Being Safe While Saving Lives
The Red Cross is taking steps to ensure the safety of all donors, staff, and volunteers during blood drives and collection appointments. Here are the steps they are taking to make sure you are safe while you roll up your sleeve to save lives:
- Checking temperatures of staff and donors before entering a drive to make sure individuals are healthy.
- Providing hand sanitizer for use before the drive, as well as throughout the donation process.
- Following social distancing between donors including entry, donation, and refreshment areas.
- Ensuring face masks or coverings are worn by both staff and donors.
- Routinely disinfecting surfaces, equipment, and donor-touched areas.
- Wearing gloves and changing gloves often.
- Using sterile collection sets and an aseptic scrub for every donation.
