Local listing agent Martin Feinberg is concerned to learn that a donation shortfall over Christmas and New Years has led the American Red Cross to issue an emergency call for blood and platelet donors to donate as soon as possible.  This emergency call for donations will hopefully prevent a blood shortage from continuing throughout the remaining winter months and affecting patient care.

The Red Cross collected 27,000 fewer blood and platelet donations the weeks of Christmas and New Year’s than what was needed to sustain an adequate blood supply.  Contributing to the problem, during that same period about 1,350 fewer blood drives were hosted by volunteer sponsor groups than required to meet patient needs.

According to Cliff Numark, Senior Vice President, Red Cross Biomedical Services “Many people may not realize that blood products are perishable, and the only source of lifesaving blood for patients is volunteer blood donors.  When donations decline – as they did around the holidays and may further decline if severe winter weather and flu season pick up – lifesaving medical treatments could be delayed.”

Two weeks ago the Red Cross had less than a three-day supply of most blood types on hand.  This is well below the ideal five-day supply that is typically needed in case of emergencies and for daily hospital needs. Blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in.

“We hope people can resolve to save lives now – when there is an emergency need – as well as throughout the year,” added Numark.

Martin Feinberg, Realtor, noted that all eligible donors—especially platelet donors and blood donors with type O blood—are urged to make an appointment to donate in the coming days in order to help restock the shelves for hospital patients.  Eligible donors living with in the Culver City Real Estate area can find donation opportunity and schedule an appointment to donate by using the free Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).