Tuesday, January 7, 2025
Every two seconds someone in the US will need blood or platelets because of injury, accident, or treatment of cancer or other conditions. Blood and platelets cannot be manufactured and our regional and national blood supplies rely on donation. In recent years, we’ve heard more about blood shortages. Blood and blood products are in high demand, including the development of cancer and chronic disease treatments.
Why Are There Blood Shortages?
According to Northwestern Medicine, fewer people these days are regular donors, and young people in general are donating less often. In recent years, the shift towards more remote work in the general population has lowered the frequency and participation in workplace blood drives. Additionally, the Covid-19 pandemic curtailed donation, and numbers have yet to rebound to cover the number of donors who were lost or disabled.
Additionally, blood and platelets have a limited shelf life, so they must be used relatively quickly or discarded. This can lead to shortages especially during the winter holidays and during the summer, when donations tend to drop off.
What Important Role Can Schools Play?
Many of us may remember our first introduction to blood donation through our high schools. The Red Cross or another blood bank would set up a blood drive location in the school gymnasium or in a mobile trailer, and students and staff alike would sign up and donate together.
Unfortunately, school blood drives have fallen somewhat by the wayside, and that’s having an impact on the overall availability of blood and blood products.
School Blood Drives introduce a wide population of young people to the idea of blood donation as a civic act and practice. It’s a relatively regular, low-stakes, low-cost way to make an immediate impact on the health and well being of your community. And, as we know, once established, such habits can increase an individual’s sense of belonging while at the same time providing lifesaving measures to individuals in the community.
How Wisconsin Schools Can Make a Difference
Tremper High School's Annual Blood Drive
This annual student-run event in Kenosha is the largest student-led blood drive in Wisconsin. The drive brings together the community to save lives for Wisconsin hospital patients. Wisconsin’s largest student-run blood drive, which has taken place over forty years and counting.
Memorial Blood Centers (MBC)
MBC partners with high schools to help young people develop a commitment to community service. MBC offers education, training, recognition, and financial support to graduating seniors.
The We Give Blood Drive
This competition is a partnership between Wisconsin Athletics, the Big Ten, and Abbott. The goal is to motivate students, alumni, and fans to donate blood. The school that donates the most blood wins $1 million to advance student or community health.
Versiti
Students who participate in local blood drives can be recognized as leaders with a Versiti Leadership Cord at graduation. Schools can also earn scholarship funds by hosting blood drives with Versiti.
Helpful Information and Resources for Blood Donation
- You can register for a donation slot at Red Cross Blood Donation.
- Information for teen donors
- To be eligible to donate blood, you must usually be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in generally good health. If 16-years-old, a signed parent guardian consent form is required each time you donate. 17-year-old donors do not need parental or guardian consent.
- Students can learn their blood type, and will have their blood tested for iron deficiency.
- Blood donation statistics/needs