Fox Chapel Area High School hosts blood drive amid critical shortage

In the few weeks since Vitalant issued a call to replenish severe blood shortages across the region, the situation has improved — but not quite enough.

“There is still a critical need for blood,” said Kristen Lane, Vitalant communications manager.

“Donors are needed now to help prevent another shortage during summer months, when vacations and outdoor activities often keep community members away from donating blood.”

Fox Chapel Area High School will host a community blood drive from 1 to 7 p.m. on Aug. 12 at the Vitalant Harmar/Fox Chapel donor center, 2585 Freeport Road.

People 16 and older are encouraged to donate, which takes about an hour and can make the difference in someone’s life.

Currently, donated blood is going to hospitals at a faster pace than donors are giving, Lane said.

“Patients who need a transfusion depend on the sustained commitment of blood donors all year round,” she said.

More than half of all Vitalant blood donors give one time a year.

“If each of those donors made just one more donation in the coming weeks and months, Vitalant could avoid the type of critical blood shortage we’re in now,” Lane said.

The event is hosted by the high school’s community outreach group.

Blood donation centers in June were sounding the alarm because of critically low supplies.

Summertime typically sees a decrease in donors, especially because high school and college students aren’t scheduling to donate regularly like they might during school-sponsored events.

The covid-19 pandemic has also wreaked havoc on supplies because more people are hesitant to donate, even though it isn’t possible to spread or contract covid-19 through donating or receiving blood, according to Vitalant and the Red Cross.

Lane said all types of blood are needed, especially type O since it is the most transfused blood type.

Fox Chapel Area High School schedules about four blood drives each year, through the leadership of Community Outreach Sponsor Rachel Machen.

“I think it’s important for the district to raise awareness because donating blood is one of the easiest ways that our students can make a difference,” Machen said.

She hopes to instill the habit in her students of donating blood for the long term, she said.

Fox Chapel Area High School has been conducting blood drives for 17 years and draws more than 200 registered donors per year.

Anyone who donates at a local center can ask for the donation to count toward Fox Chapel Area High School’s total by providing the code HS010025.

To schedule an appointment, visit DonateBlood.CentralBloodBank.org or call 412-209-7000.

Walk-ins are also welcome.