American Red Cross Partners With Schools, Businesses To Increase Blood Donations

The American Red Cross plans to partner with more schools and businesses to hold blood drives to increase its donor numbers.

The organization has not ramped these programs up fully since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The need for blood donors is being felt across the country, including here in Oklahoma, with donations being low.

Matt Trotter with the American Red Cross said his organization saw a decrease in donations over the Christmas holiday. He said this is an ongoing issue.

In the last 20 years, blood donors have dropped 40 percent.

Just a few thousand people choosing to not donate leaves a much bigger impact in their blood supply.

The American Red Cross supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood and sends blood to where it's needed most.

They’re working to increase their donor base this year by partnering with community organizations and schools to increase blood drives.

"We don’t have as many these days. And so we’re looking for people to kind of renew their partnerships with us and host blood drives again. We know that’s a good way to offer students and employees a way to give back and feel good about themselves while they're on site for the day. And that’s something we’ve been working on building back up," Trotter explained.

Trotter said your blood donations can help cancer patents, people who have been in an accident, and mothers giving childbirth. He wants the public to know they are making a difference.

If you'd like to make an appointment to donate blood, CLICK HERE.