Image by mohamed Hassan from Pixabay 

January 31, 2022 - The following statement is attributable to:

American Hospital Association
American Medical Association
American Nurses Association,

As health care providers, we are critically aware of the importance of having a steady and robust supply of blood and blood products to save the lives of our patients. But the COVID-19 pandemic poses ongoing challenges to organizations that have bolstered our blood supply for many years— such as businesses, houses of worship and universities—by hosting large blood drives. Over the past year, as we have caught up on delayed surgeries, treated many trauma patients, and cared for others who need transfusions, the need for blood has increased while staffing shortages and high rates of COVID-19 in communities have diminished donations.

We face a blood supply crisis the American Red Cross calls its worst blood shortage in over a decade.

The severity and duration of this shortage could significantly jeopardize the ability of health care providers to meet the many urgent needs of our patients and communities.

We urge everyone who can to give blood. Donating blood is safe and easy to do. As we add our voices to others asking people to donate, we hope that many available appointment slots will fill. However, we urge potential donors not to be discouraged if they are unable to get an appointment immediately, as this does not mean their donation is not needed.

There will always be a need for blood in health care, and meeting that need will require consistent donations over time to ensure that our blood supply is restored to an acceptable level moving forward. By donating regularly over time, we are confident we will be able to meet the needs of you, your friends and family members, and others in your community when disease or injury threatens life.  

A version of this statement in Spanish can be found here.
Source: American Medical Association