VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — As hurricane season ramps up, the need for blood does too — it also comes as the nation is in a dire blood shortage, with the American Red Cross stating their national blood inventory has dropped by more than 25% in July.
Katie Niehoff, executive director of the Coastal Chapter of the Virginia American Red Cross, knows all too well the impact that blood donations can have.
While Niehoff was pregnant with her youngest son, AJ, she was diagnosed with a life threatening pregnancy condition called Accreta. She told 10 On Your Side she knew she was going to need a blood transfusion when he was born.
“At that point in my life, I had never donated blood,” Neihoff said. “And so, I was really humbled that, you know, 14 people had rolled up their sleeves and given up an hour of their time in a very selfless act and had saved my life and kept my baby safe and kept my family together.”
Niehoff said she ended up losing her entire body’s volume of blood during the delivery, and that she had to receive 14 units of blood in order to survive.
And now, every year right around her son’s birthday, they have a family blood drive.
“It’s the easiest way to help a neighbor,” Niehoff said. “And we don’t often know who needs blood or who has had the need for blood, but the need is constant.”
Niehoff said weather events, like Tropical Storm Debby, can also have an impact on the national blood supply, as drives are often canceled due to the forecast.
“We’re asking people to get out, roll up their sleeves, donate blood so that we can keep the shelves in the hospital full,” Niehoff said.
People who donate blood are even able to see where their blood is headed through using the Red Cross Blood Donor app.
“You get a notification,” Niehoff said. “I always love it. Comes across my watch, and I’m like, ‘Oh, my blood’s on the way to CHKD.’ Or it’s on its way to Richmond to a hospital. So, it’s a really good feeling to know that you’re helping somebody. I certainly never thought I was going to need blood. And here I was, not only just needing blood, but meeting an amount that needed to save my life.”
Those who are interested in donating can call the American Red Cross at 1-800-RED CROSS or visit their website here to find a drive near you.