CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
CITY COUNCIL MEETING – COUNCIL MEMBER ITEMS REPORT
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BARBARA DELGLEIZE, MAYOR
NATALIE MOSER, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER
RHONDA BOLTON, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER
DATE: FEBRUARY 1, 2022
SUBJECT: CONSIDER SUPPORT OF A BLOOD DRIVE IN COLLABORATION WITH THE UCI
HEALTH BLOODMOBILE, AND DIRECT STAFF TO COORDINATE WITH UCI HEALTH
TO HOST THE EVENT AT A CITY FACILITY
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, new blood donations across the country have plummeted. This led the American Red Cross, which provides about 40% of the U.S. blood transfusion supply to declare o n January 11, 2022 , a national blood crisis , the first ever in its history. While demand for blood transfusions has remained relatively constant, the Red Cross has had to ration its blood supplies , leading many medical professionals and patients to tough decisions.
According to the American Red Cross:
• Every two (2) seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood and/or platelets. • Approximately 29,000 units of red blood cells are needed every day, including 5,000 units of platelets and 6,500 units of plasma.
• The average blood cell transfusion is approximately three (3) units. • A single car accident victim can require as many as one hundred (100) units of blood. • Blood and platelets cannot be manufactured; they can only come from volunteer donors. • The blood type most often r equested by hospitals is type O, and about 45% of people in the U.S. have type O blood.
• One volunteer donation can help save more than one life. • Red blood cells must be used within 42 days.
• Platelets must be used within 5 days.
In Orange County, University of California, Irvine Health Center transfuses an average of 1,000 units of blood per month to those in need. In December, UCI announced a severe shortage of Type O blood. To better accommod ate those who wish to donate blood, UCI often collaborates with local Orange County schools, workplaces, and local groups to host blood drives.
We are requesting that City Council vote to direct Community & Library Services staff to coordinate with UCI He alth to provide a City owned public parking lot for a bloo d drive event tentatively on March 5, 2022.
There are a number of additional dedicated and temporary facilities, providing opportunities for appointments and drop-in blood donations in Huntington B each and surrounding communities.
We would also request that City Council direct staff, working with other organizations, to engage in outreach efforts in order to promote additional ongoing opportunities for our residents to donate blood for those in need.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
We are recommending the following:
1. Direct staff to collaborate with UCI Health to host a blood drive at a City of Huntington Beach facility tentatively on March 5, 2022, and
2. Direct staff to highlight and promote resources for additional opportunities for the community to participate in blood drives.