WEST SPRINGFIELD – The Red Cross blood supply is running low.

On Jan. 6, the Town of West Springfield hosted a community blood drive at the Unico building to help spread the word that more blood is needed.

In Massachusetts, 25 blood drives across the state were forced to cancel in early January due to the “bomb cyclone,” according to Red Cross Communications Manager Kelly Isenor. The organization lost a potential of 681 donated units as a result.

“We were already sort of wondering if we were going to have to increase the urgency of our messaging, and then this blizzard happened and it was a pretty significant impact,” she said.

Isenor said the organization tries to keep a five-day blood supply on-hand at all times, but that the winter months are a difficult time to collect donations due to the holidays and sicknesses from the cold weather.

“This time of the year is more challenging than others,” she said. “It’s rough because people have a lot of plans and schools are closed around the holidays.”

The Red Cross has had an ongoing partnership with the Town of West Springfield – hosting joint community blood drives at least twice a year.

West Springfield Mayor William Reichelt was among the many volunteers who came out to donate during the drive.

“We had a great turnout when it came to civic leaders,” said West Springfield Outreach Coordinator Carly Camossi.

The drive raised a total of 53 units of blood – one unit equals about one pint. Donors received a free t-shirt and a five-dollar Dunkin’ Donuts gift card as part of the Red Cross’ collaboration with the coffee chain.

Camossi said she was pleased with the turnout, but more work needs to be done.

After the drive, the Red Cross sent out an “urgent need appeal” to media outlets and other outreach platforms with the hopes of encouraging more donors.

“What we’re trying to do is get the word out in any way we can,” said Isenor. “We’re just trying to tell people that if they are eligible and thinking about donating, now is a really good time to do it.”

For every donation, each unit of blood is separated into three parts: red blood cells, platelets and plasma. Each of those components can be distributed to different patients in need, according to Isenor.

“One donation can save three lives, and I think that gets lost sometimes,” she said. “It’s so important.”

Isenor also said the O Negative blood type is the most important to have on hand because it is the universal donor type, meaning anyone can receive it. In trauma situations, she explained, it is especially useful if doctors don’t have time to determine someone’s blood type – making it the most requested by hospitals.

Once the blood has been donated, it is collected in a lab to run through testing. It has a 45-day shelf-life, said Isenor.

The Red Cross tries to prioritize locally, but can distribute blood to hospitals all over the country.

For those interested in donating, volunteers in Massachusetts must be at least 17-years old – or 16 with parental consent – and weigh at least 110-pounds. There is a 12-month waiting period for anyone who has recently gotten a tattoo or been diagnosed with cancer.

Isenor recommends a good meal and plenty of water before a donation.
The Red Cross website has a list of upcoming drives in the state of Massachusetts.

“The need for blood is constant,” Isenor said. “Human blood can’t be manufactured in a lab, it come only come from donors in the U.S. and it can only come from volunteer donors.”

West Springfield plans on hosting another blood drive in the summer, which will be a “Battle of the Badges” competition between the fire and police departments.