The American Red Cross is seeing an unseasonable drop in blood donations across southeast Michigan and the Midwest this fall.

For the past two weeks, blood collections in the Southeastern Michigan Region lagged an average of 108 units a day – or about 12 percent of the amount needed to serve the 47 area hospitals.  The Region needs to collect on average 900 units of blood each day to meet the ongoing needs of patients in the area.

Martha Higgins, M.D., Director of the St. John Health System Blood Bank explains that there are many sick patients who have an ongoing need for blood and cannot wait for treatment. If the blood is not readily available, we must delay transfusion for some individuals and divert the units to the most critical patients “In our hospital we also have a very active emergency room and surgical unit that frequently requires large amounts of blood products for these emergencies.  We need to be able to call on the Red Cross and have these additional units without delay. Dr. Higgins goes on to say, “Those who are sick need the blood products that are prescribed.  If the supply is not replaced and maintained at safe levels, the area faces possibility of postponing surgeries or treatment.”

Blood shortages frequently occur in the summer and around the winter holidays, but are becoming the norm year-round.  Only 5 per cent of the eligible population actually donates.  Anyone who has reached age 17, weighs at least 110 pounds and is in general good health is eligible to donate; there is no upper age limit on donating.  For information on a blood drive in your area and to schedule an appointment call 1-800 GIVE LIFE or visit www.givelife.org.