‘Something I can do to help’: Suburban donors respond to blood shortage crisis

Janine Glass arrived to a community blood drive Thursday afternoon in Libertyville knowing that she could help — her O positive type is in short supply and high demand.

In fact, the American Red Cross says it has less than a one-day supply of the common blood type, and the organization has had to limit its distribution to hospitals.

“My husband has been going through cancer treatments, so he has been getting blood at Condell (hospital),” said Glass, of Libertyville. “So I feel like I need to give back.”

Glass was among a handful of donors who saw an announcement about the blood drive Thursday afternoon at Club Five Health clinic and wellness center on Milwaukee Avenue. The event was prompted by the Red Cross’ declaration on Monday of a “national blood crisis” — only the second time the nonprofit has made such a public statement in its 145-year history.

The last time it issued a similar crisis call for donors was in January 2022, in the throes of the pandemic.

“I, for the last year and a half, have been donating regularly,” said Libertyville resident Ellen Wettlaufer, who also gave blood Thursday afternoon. “I’m just at point where I have time to do it. It’s easy and it’s something I can do to help.”

Red Cross spokeswoman Anabel Monge said the agency reported July 13 that the nation’s blood supply dropped 25% in June, triggering an emergency blood and platelet shortage.

In recent weeks, “the situation escalated,” she said.

“Despite thousands of people who stepped up and went to our blood drives and donation centers, we were still not seeing that pace that we need to meet the hospital demands,” Monge said.

Officials attribute the drop in donations to the extreme heat, poor air quality and widespread foodborne illnesses. Illinois has also experienced tornadoes and severe weather in recent months, Monge noted.

Donor turnout is generally lower in the summer as people take vacations and kids are out of school, she added.

“All these factors contributed to the fact that right now maybe blood donation is not at the top of mind of everyone,” Monge said.

The Red Cross, which provides 40% of the nation’s blood supply, aims to collect about 12,000 blood donations a day for patients at about 2,500 hospitals nationwide. The organization typically likes to have at least a five-day supply on hand.

While donations of all blood types are needed, Monge said the situation is especially dire for type O blood, both positive and negative. O negative is what doctors first turn to in an emergency since it can be used in transfusions for any blood type.

“We saw a dip in that blood supply,” Monge said. “That’s worrisome because we need that type of blood to respond to car accidents, burn victims, or whatever medical emergency that person has.”

· Daily Herald staff photographer Joe Lewnard contributed to this report.