VIEWPOINT
By Gabe Bestul, Current Staff
There is a never-ending demand for blood, and also a never-ending supply. It is odd then, that there is a global blood shortage right now.
Economic issues, global pandemics, and many other factors have contributed to a population that ignores the growing demand for blood. This is why the student council at the West Bend High Schools is proud to host the state’s second largest blood drive on Dec. 12. As a member of the WBHS student council, I would like to invite community members to be lifesavers by signing up to donate at this link.
The Need for Blood
Although 350 million people live in the United States, only 6.8 million donate blood every year. This results in about 13.6 million units of blood that are collected annually. Without large nonprofit organizations, even this figure is unattainable. For example, the American Red Cross supplies approximately 40% of blood in the U.S. Donations help patients undergoing surgery, receiving treatment for cancer and requiring transfusions due to traumatic injuries. It’s essential to have diverse blood supplies, as some blood types are extremely rare and only found in certain groups. The global need for blood will continue to rise unless people take action now.
A Decline in Donors
The World Health Organization states that blood donations must be proportional to population growth. Surveys taken recently reveal a shocking trend: people are not donating blood. This hesitation is due to several myths and misconceptions associated with donation. Even though the population of available healthy donors is increasing, the number of people actually willing to donate blood is dropping. Most people believe that blood donation is the source of weakness or health issues. Others fear needles because of the pain involved with them.
Additionally, times of crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic caused a complete breakdown of donor figures due to enforced lockdowns and personal health apprehensions. It has become a paradox that blood needs grow while the donor pool shrinks.
Building Community Reliance
Blood donation is not an act of charity as much as an act of ethical duty toward the community. If we can do something good for the world through this small act, we ought to. Giving blood is a small pinch, but it can yield amazing dividends. One donation has the potential to save up to three lives, creating a ripple of hope and health for families and communities. Inspiring others to donate can help work toward a future without this global blood shortage.
Civic Responsibility and the Socioeconomic Side of Blood Shortages
Beyond the individual, it is the responsibility of society as a whole to bring forth the culture of blood donation. Society must be actively involved in creating awareness about the cause, much like other successful movements that have been engaged in the area of organ donation and other charitable acts. Schools, workplaces and community organizations can be transformed into platforms for these drives, thereby debunking myths and encouraging participation.
Blood shortages carry implications that are not only medical but also socioeconomic-related. Further, the lack of access to much-needed transfusions leads to healthcare disparity among certain demographics. Given their limited line to safe and dependable blood supplies, low-income individuals tend to bear disproportionate burdens from other adverse health conditions. This creates a self-reinforcing cycle whereby the poorest may be the least likely to receive good medical care, which paradoxically may render blood transfusions an even more critical lifeline.
Your Contribution Counts
The shortage of blood globally is not about a number but a living and breathing crisis. Each person has within him or her the ability to be part of a solution. It is now time to step forward, face one’s fears, and understand how each action or lack thereof does have a reality concerning life or death for another human being. Blood donation thus allows being part of the solution that forms the very cornerstone of our well-being in society. It is not just your act of giving blood that matters, but it may promise life, community, and hope to others. Be part of the movement by donating blood and making a difference in the great need of this highly valuable commodity worldwide.
A Call to Action
The world is at a very critical juncture, with reports streaming in concerning the alarming level of shortage of blood supplies in hospitals. This crisis not only exposes medical procedures to threats but also lives that depend on transfusions. The demand for blood, on a global basis, surpasses supply by unprecedented levels and causes increasingly dire consequences.
I hope the reasons that the global scene is experiencing the shortage in blood supplies have become clearer. Hopefully, you now realize how this shortage is a grave situation, and how populations around the globe are now suffering due to this shortage.
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