FINDLAY, Ohio — The American Red Cross accounts for nearly 40% of all blood used in hospitals nationwide, so Red Cross leaders are worried that the ongoing blood shortage could be a major issue.
“A person needs lifesaving blood every two seconds in our country — and its availability can be the difference between life and death, however, blood is only available thanks to the generosity of those who roll up a sleeve to donate,” said Dr. Pampee Young, chief medical officer of the Red Cross.
According to the American Red Cross, there has been a 40% decrease in blood donations over the last 20 years.
Todd James, executive director of the North Central Ohio branch in Findlay, said there are a number of reasons why.
The biggest, he said, is probably the pandemic canceling regularly scheduled blood drives that had trouble getting regular donors to come back.
He also said many donors are from older generations and they haven't been able to consistently get younger generations to donate regularly.
"It is an extremely small percentage of the population who donates blood to make sure that all of us have it when we need it," said James. "We need to get more people, especially young people, in the habit of giving blood on a regular basis."
This is why the Red Cross is not only making it as easy as possible to find a local blood drive online, but it's also offering some big incentives.
Anyone who donates to the Red Cross in January will be automatically entered into a drawing for an all-expense-paid trip for two to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas.
"Some are in workplaces, some are community drives. So if you go on RedCrossBlood.org and put in your zip code, you'll get a whole list of drives," said James. "I'm pretty sure you'll be able to find one that is convenient for you."
There are two blood drives on Friday in Hancock County. The first is at the Red Cross offices in Findlay from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the other is at Arlington High School from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
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