As temperatures rise and schools begin to empty for summer break, a recurring challenge returns to the North State, blood banks start to see fewer donations — just as the need for blood goes up.
Michael Lawrence, an account manager for the blood bank Vitalant, said the summer slowdown happens every year, and it can leave hospitals with lower blood supplies when they need them.
“There's more people out recreating, going climbing [on] cliffs, doing all kinds of things that they normally wouldn't do when the weather isn't so great, and getting hurt, and needing blood,” Lawrence said.
One of the biggest challenges is the temporary pause of high school and college blood drives, which Lawrence said bring in a significant amount of community donations during the school year.
“Sixty percent of the population is actually eligible to donate and less than 3 percent actually do.”- Michael Lawrence, Vitalant account manager
Chico State, for example, is holding its final blood drive of the academic year Thursday, May 1.
But once summer vacation starts, donation sites rely more heavily on community members walking in, and Lawrence said that doesn’t always happen.
“Sixty percent of the population is actually eligible to donate and less than 3 percent actually do,” he said.
Vitalant encourages people to give blood. Lawrence said their centers offer many ways to donate, including giving whole blood, which is the most common type. The process takes about 10 to 15 minutes and one donation can help several people.
Lawrence said first-time donors often find the experience to be less scary than they expected.
“They’re walking out of there, they’ve conquered a fear, and they know they potentially saved three lives,” he said.
Vitalant and American Red Cross both hold blood drives in the North State. Appointments are strongly encouraged.
