Blood has a shelf life of 42 days, but in the Washington D.C. area, all available units are being snatched up within five days.
“Essentially, when you look at the U.S., each day 44,000 units of blood need to be collected to keep up with the demand,” said Bernadette Jay, external communications manager for the American Red Cross, the organization responsible for 40 perecent of the nation’s blood collection. “Every two seconds, someone in the country needs blood. In the Greater Chesapeake and Potomac region, each day the region need to bring in 425-500 units of blood each day to keep up with the demand. The need for blood never stops.”
But while the demand for blood hasn’t fallen, donor numbers have. Jay said over the summers, the Red Cross sees a decrease in blood donations as local donors take vacations or college campuses empty.
“But that’s also when we need it the most,” said Nikki Boyce, from Alexandria’s Red Cross station. “People are driving more and getting into more accidents, but we don’t have as many donors locally. “People don’t understand: a simple car accident can sometimes require a blood transfusion. Imagine if nobody thought it was important. If you could do it once a year, you’re still helping. People don’t understand, but the donations help.”
According to Jay, someone involved in a car accident could require as much as 100 units of blood.
Boyce said groups like firefighters and police are particularly aware that, at any minute, they could need a blood transfusion and they actively help promote blood donation. Boyce said a simple donation could take five minutes.
“Just give,” Boyce said. “We take that for granted. It doesn’t just happen by chance.”
Boyce has been working in blood services with the Red Cross since 9/11, though she’d worked with a different company before then. The timing of her joining on 9/11 was a coincidence, but Boyce said it only reinforced the need. Both Boyce and Jay also had family members who required blood donations and said they know how thankful the family is when they’re on the other side of that donation.
“My grandmother had surgery and she lost a lot of blood,” said Jay. “The hospital brought in a unit of blood and within 30 minutes of the [transfusion], she was back up and spry. It made her whole again. Any family in a waiting room deserves that. Looking back, someone donated. Someone made the decision.”
The Alexandria Red Cross is located at 123 N Alfred St. Blood donations can be done on site.
“When you look at what’s needed right there in Alexandria, there’s a big need for people to roll up their sleeves and donate,” said Jay. “Thirty-eight percent of the population is eligible but only eight percent actually donate. A large portion feel like they haven’t been asked to donate. Consider this the official ask. Nobody’s excited about being poked and prodded. But for a little bit of discomfort, you’re saving the lives of three people. Pinch the underside of your arm. That’s exactly what it feels like.”
Jay said there are three ways to get in contact with the local Red Cross, to download the blood donor app, to go to www.redcrossblood.org and enter your ZIP Code, or to call 1-800-RED-CROSS.