Urgent need for summer blood donations during ‘trauma season’

SALT LAKE CITY ( ABC4 ) — The American Red Cross of Utah says there is an urgent need for summer blood donations during what’s known as “trauma season”.

Jeremiah Lafranca, Executive Director of the American Red Cross of Utah Greater Salt Lake Chapter, said “trauma season” is the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day when there is a surge in severe injuries.

These injuries can stem from car crashes, ATV accidents, sporting accidents, and summer-related activities, which in turn, can lead to more trauma events and a higher demand for blood transfusions.

According to Lafranca, around 25% of trauma patients require blood transfusions, with an estimated 3-5% needing massive transfusions, which are classified as 10 or more units of blood.

A single significant accident can deplete a hospital’s blood reserves, which is why blood donations are so important, Lafranca said.

The American Red Cross of Utah also reports that “trauma season” coincides with a lull in summer donations as more people are traveling, heightening the need for donations.

Lafranca explained that The American Red Cross as a whole collects about 12,500 units of blood every day — supplying 40% of the blood supply in the nation.

“Every little bit matters … we just encourage people to get out there and donate,” Laranca said.

According to The American Red Cross of Utah, all blood types are vital, but there is a particularly pressing need for type O blood. They said that O-negative blood can be transfused to people with any blood type and O-positive is the most commonly used blood type and can be transfused to those with positive blood types.

ABC4 will be holding the Good4Utah Family Health Fair on Saturday, Aug. 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., where Utahns can come and donate blood, as well as get back-to-school vaccinations and specialized screenings, such as mammograms and vision screenings.

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