Editor’s note: Blood donations are important in keeping supplies ready for those who need them. Currently, there is a severe blood shortage due to differing factors listed below. If you would like to give, you can register and book a time at the Red Cross website listed here. There are donations centers all over from which you can choose. As an example of this need, below is a release from the Ohio EMS board urging its stakeholders to give blood.

COLUMBUS – The State Board of Emergency Medical, Fire, and Transportation Services, during its scheduled meeting on June 16 heard discussion concerning the critical shortage of blood and blood products in Ohio as well as the nation.  This situation has been exacerbated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, decreased blood donations, and an increased utilization of blood and blood products needed to treat an increasing number of trauma cases. 

There is great concern that some patients may not be able to receive life-saving infusions of blood and blood products despite current efforts to conserve these resources.  As we move through these summer months, the seasonal increase of trauma patients will further stress this critical shortage.

The State Board of Emergency Medical, Fire, and Transportation Services is sharing this information to raise your awareness and appeal to EMS stakeholders to consider donating blood and helping to foster community engagement in donating blood.  Please contact any blood collection agency in your area to learn of the specific blood donation process and requirements they have established.  A little bit of your time is all it takes to donate this life-saving commodity that can only be collected from human volunteers.