The winter weather that many other parts of the country have been facing of late is exacerbating what the American Red Cross is now calling a blood crisis in the United States.
The organization says a blood shortage is being felt in Indiana, forcing doctors to have to make some hard choices when it comes to which patients get blood at Hoosier hospitals.
“Because of the blood shortage we are dealing with, doctors are having to make some hard choices when it comes to people, whether it be elective surgeries, cancer patients who need blood transfusions,” said Hyacinth Rucker, Red Cross Communications Director, on WISH-TV.
They also say the COVID pandemic certainly isn’t helping. With many people still getting infected with Omicron, the Red Cross is encouraging people not to donate if they’ve gotten COVID until about 14 days after getting infected.
The Red Cross is also short-staffed and is hiring and training people to be phlebotomists for free.
Go to redcrossblood.org to find out how to donate.
1 comment
Isn’t this the norm now.at least around here. The med foundation calls my daughter on her phone and my wife’s trying to set an appointment for her she has Oneg blood they always need it. I am an Oneg also. When I was in the military i tried to give monthly but new I cant maintain my BP so I cant give any more.