Med Students Issue a Call to Action to Address Blood Shortage

Rutgers medical school students and Blood Services at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital are asking blood donors to help replenish the blood supply critically diminished since the global coronavirus pandemic began three months ago.

“Blood product transfusions improve outcomes and save lives,” said Rajan Gupta, a Robert Wood Johnson Medical School trauma surgeon and surgical critical care specialist. “It is imperative to have adequate inventories, especially now given the resurgence in volumes expected at the hospitals.”

Due to the limited shelf life of blood products, which can be as short as five days, Gupta said the supply of adequate blood is critical to individuals with chronic blood disorders such as sickle cell disease and those fighting cancer, organ transplant recipients and others receiving medical treatment.

The closure of thousands of community blood drives due to COVID-19, he said, has resulted in a loss of over 200,000 blood donations across this country. Social distancing precautions have also unintentionally resulted in social disengagement by eligible donors who have the potential to provide lifesaving blood products to the wide variety of community members who rely on these donations.

As hospital operations return to their normal status, the New Jersey Student Coalition and Blood Services are hoping to encourage donations in June and July at the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Academic Building, which houses the RWJUH Blood Services Donor Center. Safety protocols are in place to protect both donors and staff members. These include temperature checks of staff and donors, required face coverings by staff and donors, social distancing requirements in waiting areas and donation spaces, as well as strict sanitary protocols including disinfection of donor areas. All donations are appointment-only to abide by safety precautions.

“There are ways for us, as students, to take lifesaving actions for others during the pandemic,’’ said Samantha Cheng, who is starting her fourth year at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. “Across the United States, hospitals are seeing resurgences in blood requirement but unequal donations to match. Many of us are either eligible donors or can bring awareness to eligible donors to prevent roadblocks to anyone’s well-being.’’

To make an appointment, call 732-235-8100 ext 221 or 228 or visit their website.