It's Blood Collectors Week

By Jennifer Costa, Regional Communications Director

Our phlebotomists are essential to our mission. This September 4-10th is National Blood Collectors Week, and although we appreciate the hard work and dedication of these staffers year-round, we want to give them an extra special shoutout this week. 

American Red Cross Biomedical Services plays a critical role in our nation's healthcare system. It is the largest single supplier of blood and blood products in the United States, collecting and processing nearly 40% of the blood supply and distributing it to about 2,500 hospitals nationwide.

The need for blood is constant. That's because every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion. There is no other source of blood than a healthy, volunteer donor. Unlike other medical treatments, blood cannot be manufactured or stockpiled. Donated blood can take up to three days to be tested, processed and made available to patients in need. So it's the blood products already on hospitals shelves that help save lives during an emergency. 

Did you know that only 3% of the U.S. population donates blood? 

American Red Cross Collection Numbers

• The Red Cross employs approximately 6,000 blood and platelet collections team members who work at blood drives and donation centers across the country.
• Each day the Red Cross needs to collection about 12,500 blood and nearly 3,000 platelet donations to support patients at about 2,500 hospitals across the country. Our blood collections team members make that possible.
• Each year the American Red Cross collections staff members collect on average more than 4.5 million blood donations and nearly 1 million platelet donations from nearly 2.5 million volunteer blood and platelet donors. Red Cross collections team members make a vital contribution to hospital patient care.

Northern New England Region Collection Numbers

During FY22, our blood collections team was busy! Let's take a look at the numbers:

• The Red Cross Northern New England Region collected 129,292 red blood cell products. Red blood cell donations must constantly be replenished. They only have a shelf life of 42 days.
• In Maine, the team collected 43,945 red cell products.
• In New Hampshire, the team collected 57,450 red cell products.
• In Vermont, the team collected 27,897 red cell products.
• The Red Cross Northern New England Region collected 36,865 platelets. Platelets are 
• In Maine, the team collected 14,576 platelets. 
• In New Hampshire, the team collected 13,170 platelets.
• In Vermont, the team collected 9,119 platelets.
• The Red Cross Northern New England Region held 4,806 blood drives throughout our communities.
• 1,976 blood drives in Maine 
• 1,830 blood drives in New Hampshire 
• 1,000 blood drives in Vermont
• The Red Cross Northern New England Region carries out its mobile and fixed-site blood collection mission thanks to the roughly 155 blood collectors throughout Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.

Staff Stories 

Name: Brenda Seliano

Title: Team Lead

State: Maine

Years of service: 19 years

“As a little girl, I had always wanted to be in the medical field. Now, as a phlebotomist, I enjoy saving lives! I love meeting new people and I love the American Red Cross mission.”

Name: David Farren

Title: Phlebotomy Tech 2

State: Maine

Years of service: 2 months

"I was attracted to the field of phlebotomy because it was an opportunity to give back to the community and work for an organization I respect. I get paid to help save people's lives! How can you do better than that?"

Name: Tammy Haskell

Title: Collections Tech

State: Maine

Years of service: 7 months

"Phlebotomy is a profession where I can play a role in helping others get the lifesaving blood they need. What I love most about my job is interacting with our donors and working in a community service field." 

Name: Kaitlyn Lippert

Title: Phlebotomist

State: New Hampshire

Years of service: 8 months

“When the opportunity presented itself to join the Red Cross my first thought was this is how I can help save lives. With every donation collected, I think this is going to help someone in need of lifesaving blood. This isn’t just a job to me, it’s a way to help save lives.”

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in.

Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements. 

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.