Supporting Pennsylvania’s Blood Supply

January 25, 2023

While the demand for donated blood remains constant, the U.S. continues to face significant challenges keeping up with the necessary supply.

This month, the nation’s blood suppliers are highlighting how inclement weather and seasonal illnesses pose significant challenges to maintain the blood supply during the winter and how everyone can make a difference in their communities.

Earlier this month, blood supplier Vitalant noted that the blood supply for about 900 hospitals nationwide declined to its lowest level in a year, triggering a blood emergency. The supplier urged eligible donors of all blood types—especially type O—to schedule an appointment.

“New donors and those who haven’t donated recently are critical to helping end this shortage,” Cliff Numark, Vitalant senior vice president, said in a statement. “Patient needs continue but societal shifts have kept blood donations from rebounding to pre-pandemic levels.”

The American Red Cross highlights the following key figures about the nation’s blood supply:

• Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood and or platelets
• The U.S. needs 29,000 units of red blood cells every day
• A car accident victim can require as many as 100 units of blood
• The average red blood cell transfusion is about three units
• The U.S. needs 5,000 units of platelets and 6,500 units of plasma every day

During National Blood Donor Month, HAP joins organizations around the country encouraging everyone who is eligible to consider making an appointment. Learn more about how your donation can help someone in your community.

Additional information about the blood donation centers in Pennsylvania is available online.