PHOENIX — There's a critical blood shortage striking the United States and Valley donation centers are feeling the pinch.
The American Red Cross declared an emergency blood shortage after donations fell by about 40% in the last 20 years.
"It's reaching us," Dr. Joe Sucher, a HonorHealth trauma surgeon, said. "A lot of people are eligible to donate blood but very few people do."
Sucher told 12News that Phoenix-area hospitals have been warned of the blood shortage. He said elective surgeries will be the first to be canceled if they can't keep enough blood on the shelves.
"It takes anywhere from half an hour to two hours before you're going to get resupplied, even within the city," Sucher said.
As the number of blood donors hits an all time low, David Rees is sharing his cancer survival story in hopes of encouraging others to save lives.
"It's keeping people who need blood alive, and it kept me alive," David Rees, a blood donation recipient said. "I wouldn't have been able to be in remission and beat cancer and get married and have a daughter if it wasn't for blood donors."
37 blood transfusions kept Rees alive during his battle with leukemia.
"I went through nine months of treatments, 285 days, spent over 100 nights in the hospital but 37 blood donors took the time to give to keep me alive," Rees said.
Experts said COVID-19 accelerated the decline in donations as blood drives disappeared and eligibility requirements changed.
"Christmas Eve through New Year's Day was the lowest ten days of the year for blood donations, yet more blood transfusions are required in January than any other month of the year," Vitalant Spokesperson Sue Thew said.
Thew told 12News each donation can save between two and three lives.
"People don't often stop and think about is that tragedy strikes without a moment's notice and it truly is the blood that's already on the shelves that saves lives when people have emergencies," Thew said.
To make an appointment to donate, visit Vitalant or the American Red Cross.
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