As cases of severe flu infections uptick here in the Midlands, some local advocates are fearful of what that will mean for thousands of patients in need of life-saving blood transfusions.
“Braden has this illness that is unforgiving. He’s been in the midst of a pain crisis now for a few months,” said Brenda Green.
She is talking about her 16-year-old son Braden. He is a vivacious teenager living with sickle cell disease. Green says he is alive today because of a blood transfusion he received when he was in desperate need in 2015.
“I can still recall the moments sitting in PICU, and watching blood flow into his body, and being so grateful,” Green added.
With an earlier, more severe flu season this year families like Green’s and Red Cross representatives worry thousands of patients could suffer even through the new year. DHEC has reported more than 250 hospitalizations, and three deaths as of the last week of October.
“The flu season doesn’t stop the need for blood,” said Green. “Seeing it may discourage or be a barrier for people to donate blood, that scares me.”
“Much like we saw with the COVID-19 pandemic, when illnesses are increasing that results in people not being able to come out for their appointments,” said Mandy McWherter of the Red Cross.
The concern is coupled with the significant decrease in blood donations to the Red Cross. The organization has collected a little more than 76,000 units as of June of this year. It is a deep contrast to the more than 83,000 units they collected in 2021.
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