Why Blood Donations Usually Slump In The Summer

The two major blood donation centers in Wisconsin are expecting a slight dip in blood donations this summer.

Summertime is typically thought of as a slower time for blood donations, but those with the BloodCenter of Wisconsin and the Badger-Hawkeye region of the American Red Cross say the need is ongoing and constant year-round.

Red Cross spokesperson Bobbi Snethen says the one opportunity that goes away in the summer are school-based blood drives.

Snethen: “We get about 20 percent of our blood donations from college and high school drives. So when those are out of session, we can see donations from 16-24 year-olds drop as much as 80 percent.”

Incentives are being offered to people who donate blood in Wisconsin this summer. The BloodCenter of Wisconsin is giving away Summerfest, state fair and local festival tickets to people who donate blood next week.

The Red Cross is having a drawing for a $3,000 gift card for people who donate during the first two weeks of July.

Both centers supply blood to around 100 Wisconsin hospitals, and contribute to a national blood network.