Students can help end blood shortage
A national blood shortage is forcing hospitals to cancel surgeries across the
country, but CMU students can help.
“We need their donations because supplies are so incredibly low,” said
Jim Rummel, director of communications for the American Red Cross Great Lakes
Blood Region.
“A lot of hospitals in Philadelphia, Boston and Los Angeles have been forced
to cancel elective surgeries.”
Rummel said the Michigan Red Cross tries to keep a three-day supply of all blood
types in its five Michigan warehouses, but now only about a half-day supply of
blood type O-negative and one-fourth of a day’s supply of B-negative are
available.
“(The shortage) started before Labor Day and we cannot keep up with hospital
needs,” said Deb Lewis, Red Cross donor recruitment representative.
Students compose about 18 percent of all blood donors in the Great Lakes Blood
Region, Rummel said.
Lewis said CMU has been involved in blood drives for many years.
“There’s a lot of people on this campus and we’re trying to get
to them all,” she said.
A blood drive will take place from 1 to 6:45 p.m. today in Herrig Hall.
Additional campus drives are as follows: 10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Friday in the Bovee
University Center Rotunda; 11 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Oct. 6 in the Towers; and 11 a.m.
to 5 p.m. Oct. 13 at the Wesley Foundation, 1400 S. Washington.
“I have different goals at every blood drive,” Lewis said.
The Red Cross hopes to collect 75 units of blood at Herrig, 130 at the BUC and
125 at the Towers.
Last year’s blood drive competition between CMU and Western Michigan University
was a disappointment, but Lewis said she hopes more students get involved the
competition so the event can take place again next year.
“We’re asked for so much more blood than even a year ago,” Rummel
said.
Hospitals were using 14 percent more blood this August than last August nationwide,
he said. Michigan hospital figures are a little over 11 percent.
“We’re ascribing it to the aging baby-boomer population,” Rummel
said.
Baby-boomer cancer and leukemia patients compose the largest individual need,
he said.
All types of blood are needed, Rummel said, but because anyone can receive O-negative
blood, it’s availability is critical.
“Body piercings have affected us greatly,” Rummel said.
Individuals with piercings or tattoos must prove that it was done in a sterile
environment and at least one year prior to donation.
“I urge everyone to please donate blood, this is a crisis situation,”
Rummel said.
Giving blood is very safe and doesn’t take a long time either, Lewis said.
In order for students to donate they must be at least 17 years old, in general
good health and weigh at least 110 pounds, she said.
Lewis said students should eat a normal meal before they give blood.
Individuals with questions about blood donations or drives can call the American
Red Cross at (800) GIVE-LIFE or (517) 345-7920.
