'Every ounce of blood counts': Red Cross in need of donors during emergency blood shortage
Elton Wright Jr.: ‘Simply put, you’re changing lives.”
HENRICO, Va. (WWBT) - Inside the American Red Cross donation center along Emerywood Parkway, Elton Wright Jr. is no stranger to answering the call to serve.
“I lived most of my youth serving and now this is a chance to give back and serve in a different capacity,” he said.
Wright Jr. says he is always willing to help out and give blood.
“In college, in service, and now,” he said. “Every time they give me a call, which is really often. They’re like a tax collector.”
Wright is using this moment to maximize his donation and encourages others to do the same as the American Red Cross faces an emergency blood shortage.
“19,000 fewer donations during the month of July and that’s led to a 25 percent reduction in the blood supply across the country,” said Jonathan McNamara, a spokesperson for the American Red Cross.
A drop in supply stems from the extreme heat and severe weather we’ve been facing this summer.
“Hurricane Debby has made the emergency blood shortage even more challenging for the Red Cross,” said McNamara. “We’ve seen dozens of blood drives canceled up and down the East Coast, including here in Virginia and that is on top of the fact we saw over 100 drives this summer impacted by the extreme heat.”
In the days and weeks ahead, the Red Cross will be holding drives to bring in donors.
“We’re also doing some things like incentives, working with Amazon to give a $20 Amazon gift card to all donors who come to these drives in addition to working with additional community partners to get this message to new audiences,” said McNamara. “At the end of the day, you may never meet this person that receives your blood, but you can confidently know when you make that donation, you’re saving a life here in our community or a community across the country.”
A message Elton Wright Jr. echoes as he urges everyone to help out during this time of need.
“Simply put, you’re changing lives,” he told 12 On Your Side. “What other slogan is it but Nike right, just do it. Every ounce of blood counts, it’s going to a good cause.”
The American Red Cross has a search tool on their website where you can find blood drives and appointments in your area. For more information on this search tool and how you can sign up to be a blood donor, click here.
Copyright 2024 WWBT. All rights reserved.