Urgent Call for Young Blood Donors as Donations Drop to Catastrophic Levels

In the spring of 2023, a successful campaign featuring a Snoopy-themed T-shirt with the slogan “Be cool. Give blood” encouraged over 70,000 individuals under 35 to donate blood. This campaign was a response to a critical shortage during the holidays when the Red Cross experienced a shortfall of 7,000 units of blood needed by hospitals. To meet ongoing demands, approximately 8,000 additional donations were required each week in January. 

Dr. Eric Gehrie, the executive medical director of the American Red Cross, noted a 40% decrease in donors over the past 20 years. The Red Cross aims to establish lifelong donation habits, especially starting with high school donors. However, there has been a steady decline in blood donations from teens and young adults since 2013. From 2019 to 2021, donations from 16- to 18-year-olds dropped by 60%, and those from 19- to 24-year-olds fell by nearly a third. The pandemic has been a contributing factor, but there are concerns that these low numbers might persist. 

Dr. Claudia Cohn, chief medical officer for the Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies, points out that blood centers often rely on high schools for blood drives, and the decline in young donors is worrying.

Changes in FDA requirements in 2015, including increased hemoglobin levels and minimum height and weight requirements for donors, have disproportionately affected young, first-time donors. The pandemic further exacerbated the situation as blood drives at schools, colleges, and workplaces – traditional venues for encouraging young donors – were halted, and many have not resumed. 

In an effort to rekindle the enthusiasm seen in the Snoopy campaign, the Red Cross is offering a chance to win Super Bowl tickets to blood donors. However, there are no immediate plans for other youth-targeted campaigns. The article underscores the critical need for young people to step up and donate blood to address the ongoing shortage and ensure a stable blood supply for those in need. 

Journal Reference  

Blood donations have fallen to catastrophic levels. Experts say young people need to step up. (2024).

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