Weather’s role in nation-wide blood shortage

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — According to the American Red Cross, blood inventory dropped 25% in July. In response, the organization declared an emergency blood shortage, but officials emphasized that it’s not unusual for this time of year.

“We anticipate that in the summer months, especially here in the Northeast where summer is short, and a lot of activity is crammed in – we usually see a slight drop off,” said Michael Tedesco, the regional director of communications for the American Red Cross of WNY.

He pointed to the recent wave of severe weather seen in communities across the country as one reason we’re seeing this shortage somewhat worsen.

“So, at one point not long ago about 50% of the country from coast to coast was under heat alerts – it led to a lot of cancellations of blood drives,” Tedesco explained.

Western New York is not immune to this issue either, he said. While we typically don’t see a lot of cancellations in the summer, we do see quite a few in the winter.

“We’ve had over 200 drive cancellations here in the Western New York region so far this year,” Tedesco began. “That combined with the usual summer drop off has left us in a pretty important – or precarious position.”

The solution, he said, is simple: more people need to donate blood. The Red Cross holds blood drives nearly daily. In some cases, the Red Cross offers initiatives like Amazon gift cards and t-shirts.

“We never want to be in a position where we’re having to cut back on distributions to hospitals because, unlike blood donations, the need for blood never drops off,” Tedesco said. “There will always be cancer patients who rely on blood products like platelets to assist with their treatment. There will always be trauma patients…”

Those interested in giving blood can click here and type in their ZIP code to find the next available blood drive near them.

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