(WFSB) - There's an urgent need for blood and platelet donations in Connecticut, especially from Type O donors. Experts say the supply falls to critical levels every winter, and clearing the shortage can take months.
Jonathan DeCasanova with the Connecticut Blood Center says busy travel schedules, weather, and illnesses keep people, especially older volunteers, from donating blood during winter. He thinks the answer to boosting blood donations could rest on the arms of younger volunteers, Millennials, and Gen-Zers, who can fill the gap.
Twenty-eight-year-old Alex Fazzino was the first to roll up his sleeves and donate when the CTBC opened its facility in Middletown in 2021. Since then, he's donated every eight weeks, sitting in donor chairs 17 times to help someone in need.
"It was a cool experience to be the first donor. I think it also helps to motivate me to keep going to see how many I can get," Fazzino said. "I don't necessarily think that I am a hero."
Jonathan DeCasanova is the Connecticut Blood Center's account manager and community relations representative. He says more young donors like Alex should give the gift of life.
"It's incredible what Alex is doing because the important thing with blood donation is not donating once, but the consistency of donation. We want folks to be on a regular schedule with blood donation, which helps amplify the amount of blood we have," DeCasanova said.
For decades, Baby Boomers, the generation born between 1946 and 1964, have adhered to that regular donor schedule. But as they start to step aside, DeCasanova says others need to step up.
"As they start to get older, even though they don't age out of blood donation, they might not be donating, and we really need those younger generations like Millennials and Gen-Zers to fill that gap.
The Connecticut Blood Center is the leading blood supplier to more than a dozen hospitals in the state. When the need is high, they need 2,000 blood donations daily to keep up with demand, but that number took a 20% hit over Thanksgiving.
"We are still seeing those shortages here in January. It does change, but this is a difficult time of year," DeCasanova said.
While cold weather and illnesses drive donations down, DeCasanova says common misconceptions hurt blood donation, too.
"Folks think that they cannot donate because they have tattoos or piercings, and that's far from the truth," he said. Another misconception is age. You must be 17 in Connecticut to donate blood, but 16-year-olds can donate with their parents' permission.
No matter what your age, Fazzino says, everyone can do their part.
"It's a really simple way to give back to your community. I hope it gets to someone that needs it," Fazzino said.
You can make an appointment to donate or attend one of the mobile blood drives happening right now during National Blood Donor Month. Check out the Connecticut Blood Center's website for details, or use their search by Zip code feature.