Red Cross urges blood donations as holidays strain supply

The organization says seasonal illnesses and busy schedules make year-end donations more difficult.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — As the holiday season approaches, the American Red Cross says it’s bracing for a familiar challenge: a drop in blood donations.

The organization monitors donation trends closely each year and says the end of the year is traditionally hard on the nation’s blood supply. Many people skip appointments due to seasonal illnesses or family commitments.

Suzanne Lawler, Regional Communications Manager for the Red Cross, says the need for donations doesn’t slow down.

“This time of the year, sometimes collecting blood can be a challenge because of seasonal illnesses, and people have family in, so they’re not always making their appointments. But the need for blood is constant,” Lawler said.

According to The Red Cross, it provides about 40% of the nation’s blood supply. Lawler says people often donate because of someone they love.

“People come in and say, I have a friend with sickle cell disease, my mom was in a car accident, a family member has cancer. Those are real things where your blood donation is making a difference and helping to save a life,” she said.

For longtime donor Marsha Kapiloff, giving blood is a decades-long commitment inspired by her father. She began donating at 18-years-old and encourages others to try.

“If we can’t give anything, we can give blood because it’s life-saving. It helps someone no matter what your financial situation is. And he gave every time he was eligible,” Kapiloff said.

She wants people to know the process isn’t as intimidating as you may think.

“It’s not scary. A needle stick, short term, is nothing compared to a lifetime of pain from not having enough blood and oxygen,” she said.

This year, donors will also receive Pac-Man socks and a collectible toy while supplies last. To sign up, visit RedCrossBlood.org and use sponsor code 41NBC.