The Philadelphia region's blood supply is dangerously low, and the American Red Cross is asking for help

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — There is a dire need for blood — right now. The American Red Cross says the supply all around the country, including the Philadelphia region, is dangerously low, so the nonprofit is once again making an appeal for people to roll up their sleeves.

Alana Mauger, regional communications manager for the American Red Cross, Southeastern Pennsylvania, says there was a significant shortage at the end of summer.

“The actual need was significantly higher than what we had expected,” Mauger said.

She says supplies were adequate through July, and then they immediately made efforts to collect donations. Natural disasters, summer vacation and travel, COVID-19 cases — all of these are contributing factors to the blood shortage.

“We're encouraging people to give now, to make sure that the levels continue to be available and improve after the summer shortage,” Mauger said.

“What we're seeing is that happened a little bit, but we're now, we're in September, and we're still seeing that critical need that we have.”

Only three out of 100 Americans donate blood. With the blood supply still at critical levels, every single donation is key to making sure all patients who rely on life-saving transfusions get the care they need.

“The worst-case scenario would be that the blood's not available when someone needs it. And what's really important is that, you know, we can't project when someone's going to need the blood.”

She says blood platelets are needed as well. They only have a shelf life of five days, so that supply has to be continually restocked. The American Red Cross is now offering an incentive for blood and platelet donors.

“If you donate between now and Sept. 30, you will receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of your choice. Automatically, you're registered for this gift card, and within 30 days, you'll receive the card electronically.”

To find the nearest donation site, go to redcrossblood.org .