The coronavirus pandemic has canceled blood drives across the country, and blood centers are asking for help.

The American Red Cross is strongly urging healthy donors to make an appointment to provide lifesaving blood products.

Red Cross data show that since the pandemic was declared, at least 4,500 drives have been canceled nationwide, resulting in 150,000 lost donations. Statewide 257 drives have been canceled and 7,506 units lost.

U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams last week urged healthy people to donate blood.

Adams said nationwide blood centers are implementing additional precautions, but still are encouraging people to donate.

Kristen Lane, a spokeswoman for Vitalant, said many people in the community are not feeling well and not coming in to donate.” Vitalant, the nation’s second-largest community blood service provider, has donation centers at the Butler Health System’s Crossroads campus and in Butler Centre in Cranberry Township.

Lisa Landis, a spokeswoman for the American Red Cross, said measures are in place to make it safe to donate. Centers are screening people at the door and turning away those who are ill.

Lane stressed that all blood types and components are needed, with a critical need for platelets and Type-O blood.

Platelets and blood have a shelf life of only a few days and need to be consistently restocked.

Lane said people are also concerned about transmitting the disease through their donation or potentially compromising their own health by being depleted of blood.

There is no evidence that the virus can be transmitted via blood.

“Giving blood has no impact on the donor’s immune system, and it is highly unlikely the virus can be transmitted through blood transfusion,” Lane said.

To make an appointment through the American Red Cross, call 1-800-Red-Cross or visit redcross.org to find a local blood drive.

We’re all in this together, and it’s far better for all involved if we choose to help our fellow humans rather than rip the last roll of toilet paper from their hands.

We will get through this.

— JGG