The nation's supply of type O positive blood has dropped below a single day's worth, and Lake Bluff residents can help refill it five minutes from home.
The American Red Cross on July 27 escalated a national blood emergency into a full crisis declaration, only the second time in the organization's history. The first was in January 2022. Donations have fallen to a four-year summer low even as hospital demand has climbed beyond normal seasonal levels, according to Patch.
The Vitalant blood donation center at 223 N. Waukegan Rd. in Lake Bluff is open year-round and accepting walk-in and scheduled appointments. Anyone who donates by Monday, Aug. 31 will receive a $20 Amazon gift card by email, according to the Red Cross.
Why the shortage is so severe
Type O positive blood can be safely transfused to about 80 percent of patients and accounts for roughly 60 percent of all Red Cross distributions. The overall blood supply fell nearly 25 percent in June, and the Red Cross has begun limiting how much type O it sends to individual hospitals to preserve stock for the most critical emergencies.
Dr. Courtney Lawrence, a divisional chief medical officer for the Red Cross, said hospital need has climbed beyond normal seasonal levels, meaning the shortfall is driven by rising demand as well as falling donations. Extreme heat, poor air quality and widespread foodborne illnesses have all suppressed donor turnout, the organization said.
High school and college students account for 20 percent of all blood donors nationwide. With campuses empty for summer, that pipeline has dried up.
"If just three more donors gave at each blood drive this summer, we could help the blood supply rebound and ensure hospitals have the blood products they need throughout the remainder of the season," Paul Sullivan, senior vice president of donor services for the Red Cross, said in the organization's July 27 crisis announcement.
How to donate in Lake Bluff
The Vitalant Lake Bluff center is open:
- Monday: noon–7 p.m.
- Tuesday: 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
- Thursday: 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
- Saturday: 7 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
- Sunday: 7 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
- Closed Wednesday and Friday
The center's phone number is (877) 258-4825. Additional Vitalant locations are at 2510 Waukegan Rd. in Glenview and 2436 Main St. in Evanston.
Donors must be at least 17 years old (16 with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and be in generally good health. The full process takes about an hour; the blood draw itself runs roughly 10 minutes. Whole blood donors wait 56 days between donations.
Red blood cells last only about 42 days and platelets roughly five days, which is why the Red Cross says continuous donations are critical to keeping shelves stocked.
Appointments can be made through the Red Cross Blood Donor App, at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-733-2767.
