A recent article published on nj1015.com about Ruth Ann Shea Burns, Class of 1967, highlights for all of us the need for blood donations as well as organ and other donations to help those in need.
Last June, Ruth Ann was diagnosed with an aggressive form of blood cancer, Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia, which required multiple blood and platelet transfusions each week in the beginning of her treatment at the Cancer Institute of New Jersey. Because of Covid, and then with the rise of the Omicron variant, donations to blood banks have been severely impacted. There were times that Ruth Ann’s treatment had to be postponed because her blood type, A-, was not available. A call for A- donors was successful and today Ruth Ann is in partial remission.
According to the American Red Cross, “While there has been a significant and encouraging response to the dire need for blood across the nation, the American Red Cross needs more donors to give in the weeks ahead to recover from its worst blood shortage in more than a decade. Those interested in helping are urged to schedule the earliest-available blood or platelet donation appointment in their area to help ensure accident victims rushed to the emergency room, those being treated for cancer and others who count on blood product transfusions can receive lifesaving care without delay.”
In addition, organ donations and the availability of stem cell donations have been affected by the pandemic. The government’s Health Resources and Services Administration reports that the need for organ, eye and tissue donors remains very high. They note that every nine minutes another person is added to the national transplant waiting list.
In the United States, February 14, Valentine’s Day, is a day to spread awareness of the need for donors, referred to as National Donor Day. The nonprofit Donate Life America says the day is a time to focus on all types of donations – organ, eye, tissue, blood, platelets and marrow – by participating in blood/marrow drives or donor registration events. It is also a day to appreciate donors and loved ones who have given the gift of life, have received a donation, are currently waiting or did not receive an organ in time.
