Georgia faces a health crisis as Red Cross reports record shortages in blood donations

A 25% decrease in blood inventory since July 1 has resulted in a shortage that is causing health emergencies across Georgia, according to the Red Cross.

Georgia’s shortage is just part of a larger trend that is plaguing healthcare facilities.

Citing the high temperatures and the constant hospital demand, the Red Cross has seen a rapid drop in the blood supply. Due to the low supply of type O, the organization has to reduce the distribution of the most common and helpful blood type, creating crises in emergency rooms across the country.

“For trauma patients, each minute of delay can increase the chance of death by 5%,” said Baia Lasky, division chief medical officer for the Red Cross. “For a patient suffering massive blood loss, group O is the most commonly transfused blood type.”

What can I do?

The easiest answer is to donate your blood — particularly if you have types O positive or negative — at your local donation center.

You can make an appointment online at RedCross.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit them in person at 7490 Veterans Parkway.

However, if you’d rather donate at a blood drive, click here to make an appointment for the Red Cross-supported events.

• Aug. 21: Easterseals - 2515 Double Churches Road

• Aug. 28: Brookstone School - 440 Bradley Park

• Sept. 4: Piedmont Columbus Regional Midtown

• Sept. 6: City Services - 3111 Citizens Way

Additionally, LifeSouth Community Donation Center accepts appointments and sponsors blood drives across the city. To make an appointment at any of the below times or places, click here .

• Aug. 14: Walmart - 3700 US Highway 431

• Aug. 16: Petsmart - 1591 Bradley Park

• Aug. 20: Walmart - 3700 US Highway 431

• Aug. 21: Walmart - 1042 Manchester Expressway

• Aug. 22: Petsmart - 1591 Bradley Park

• Aug. 26: Petsmart - 1591 Bradley Park

What do I need to donate?

Before you ever sit down, you must meet a few requirements :

• You will have to present your identification — whether it is a donor card or your driver’s license.

• You must be 17 years old (or 16 with parental consent).

• You must weigh at least 110 pounds.

• You should be in good health, generally, and you should be feeling well on the day of donation.

You won’t be allowed to donate if you have any of the following :

• Certain health conditions such as active tuberculosis, HIV, hepatitis B or C, blood disorders and some types of cancer

• Blood thinning medication

• Recent travel outside the U.S., especially in places with high instances of malaria

• Recent blood transfusions, organ transplants, and some other surgeries

• In Georgia, specifically, you can’t donate if you received a tattoo within three months of donation

• Pregnancy

What can I expect when I donate?

• Ahead of your appointment, the Red Cross recommends that you eat a healthy meal and drink lots of fluids. This can help you feel better during the donation.
• While you are donating, you can expect to register and fill out a few forms, but this doesn’t typically take too long.
• You will also, most likely go through a short health screening in which you answer questions about your medical history and lifestyle. The nurse or attendant will give you a mini-physical in which they take your blood pressure, your temperature, pulse, and hemoglobin — typically with a finger stick.
  
  
• When you are seated comfortably, a staff member will insert a sterile needle into your vein to collect about a pint of blood. This process takes about 10 minutes.
• Once you’re all done, you should rest for 10-15 minutes and eat a snack to help replenish your energy.
• Rest is recommended for the rest of the day, and you should avoid any strenuous activity.

Although many Americans are eligible to donate blood, only about 3% actually do. The blood shortage affects all of us, so if you’d like to share your experience, sound off in the comments, or you can email me or find me on Instagram.