Oral Abstract
Blood Center/Blood Hospital-Based Donor Center
Natural disasters, mass shootings, and nationwide shortage appeals spur public willingness to donate, yet the magnitude, duration, and retention of whole-blood (WB) versus apheresis platelet (PLT) donors during these crises remain insufficiently characterized. Disentangling the two responses is critical for inventory planning because PLT collections require longer appointment windows, specialized staff, and rapid stock rotation.
Study
Design/Methods: All American Red Cross WB and PLT donations from 2000-2024 were analyzed. Six crises were selected—9/11, Superstorm Sandy, Boston Marathon bombing, Hurricane Harvey, Las Vegas shooting, and the 2024 “Severe Shortage” national appeal. Weekly volumes were standardized to pre-event baselines (Standardized Weekly Donations, SWD). For each product we calculated peak SWD, weeks with SWD > 1.0, percentage of first-time donors, and 12-month return of first-time donors; mixed-effects models compared crisis types and products.
Results/Findings:
During 9/11 the WB surge reached 3.5 × baseline, whereas PLT rose to 2.1 ×. Across the other mass-casualty events, WB peaks were roughly 40 % higher than PLT (median WB:PLT ratio = 1.4). Peaks for both products fell back to baseline within four weeks for all six crises; however, WB volumes normalized about one week earlier than PLT in three of six events, due to the scheduling lag for apheresis. During the 2024 appeal, WB donations sustained a SWD of ≥ 0.7 for six consecutive weeks, while PLT held a SWD of ≥ 0.5 for eight weeks, ultimately delivering the greatest aggregate platelet supply of any crisis examined. First-time donor representation rose from 25 % to 33–45 % for WB but only to 12–22 % for PLT, indicating a higher procedural barrier for new platelet donors. Twelve-month return averaged 39 % for WB first-timers and 44 % for PLT first-timers, with no gender or crisis-type differences.
Conclusions:
Mass-casualty events generate large but fleeting surges in WB and PLT collections, whereas a nationwide appeal produces a smaller peak yet a longer plateau, smoothing operational load and yielding more platelets overall. Because PLT recruitment rises more slowly but retains donors better, crisis strategies should couple immediate WB drives with swiftly scheduled PLT appointments to harness altruism while maintaining supply stability.