PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Blood donation centers and hospitals across the country are in desperate need of donations. The persistent shortage of the nation’s blood supply is worsened by an even greater lack of diversity among donors.
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), 40% of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood, but only 3% do. Throw in seasonal barriers to donating, such as the flu, other viruses and natural disasters, and that number shrinks even more.
But an ongoing barrier comes from a crucial population.
“Research shows that less than 20% of blood donations come from communities of color,” said Dr. Arun Shet, NHLBI acting branch chief. “Some patients have blood types that should be matched very closely to reduce complications.”
In cities like Philadelphia, with a large population of people of color and common diseases like sickle cell, he said diversity plays a key role.
“We are more likely to find a compatible blood match from someone of the same race or ethnicity. So regardless of the blood group that they have, sometimes there are proteins on the blood cell that match more closely if come from the same racial background,” he explained.
For trauma patients, every moment matters. Just a one-minute delay can increase the chance of death by 5%.
“A common belief among Black donors is that their blood is unwanted,” Shet added. “If people get the message that it’s not true and that their blood is critical and needed, I think it can be a big deal to mobilize donors.”
Find a blood donation location near you by visiting redcrossblood.org.