Did you know: High pollen levels = low blood supply | Health

The early blooming of plants and trees has some people feeling under the weather due to allergies, and they’re not able to give blood.  Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen a much lower-than-anticipated turnout for blood drives. Our blood supply has dropped to extremely low levels.

To prevent the blood supply from falling even further, please consider making an appointment to donate blood as you are able.

While a number of factors could be contributing to the decline, blood donors in some parts of the country have indicated to our recruitment teams that allergies are impacting their ability to donate.

• Currently, pollen.com indicates that more than three-quarters of the U.S. is experiencing medium-to-high pollen counts.
• The American Red Cross saw an 8 percent decline in blood donations in March 2012 compared to March 2011.
• While it’s hard to quantify how many, some donors have expressed uncertainty about whether they are suffering from allergies versus a cold.
• While a cold, sinus or respiratory infection could impact someone’s ability to donate blood, allergies alone do not necessarily make a donor ineligible to give.
• Donors taking allergy medications are encouraged to call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to ask a Red Cross health professional about their eligibility to give blood.

Sneezing through spring? Call 1-800-RED CROSS for questions about eligibility or to schedule a donation appointment.