Camarillo, Calif., July 27, 2020 — The American Red Cross of the Pacific Coast has received a grant for $5,000 from the Bayer Fund, which will be used to support blood drives throughout Ventura County.
“Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood,” Tony Briggs, regional chief executive officer for the American Red Cross of Central California said. “To have a partner like Bayer Fund recognize the importance of a strong blood supply is more important now than ever. We know that the need for blood is urgent, and there is simply no substitute. Because of Bayer Fund’s generous grant, together we will be able to make an impact in the lives of cancer patients, trauma victims and anyone who relies on lifesaving blood and plasma.”
The American Red Cross nationally supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood supply—more than any other blood collection agency in the U.S.
“Throughout the years, the grants given through Bayer Fund have helped strengthen our communities across the United States,” said Al Mitchell, President of Bayer Fund. “We’re proud to be able to provide support to develop programs that help combat challenges such as food insecurity, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education and support services to patients and families managing an illness or disease.”
As the coronavirus pandemic has evolved in the U.S., many blood drives continue to be canceled as businesses and community organizations remain closed. This has impacted the Red Cross’s ability to collect the nearly 13,000 blood donations and more than 2,600 platelet donations required to meet the daily needs of patients at hospitals and transfusion centers across the country.
Donated blood is essential in the care of patients relying on lifesaving blood transfusions for surgeries, cancer treatments, car accidents and other emergencies. In accordance with public health guidance, blood donation keeps families safe by contributing to a readily available supply of blood for hospitals.
The Red Cross has an urgent need for blood and platelet donations to help prevent another blood shortage as hospitals resume all surgical procedures and patient treatments that were temporarily paused earlier this spring in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In recent weeks, hospital demand for blood products has significantly increased by 30%, following a sharp decline in demand from early April amid this rapidly changing and complex environment.
Red Cross blood drives follow the highest standards of safety and infection control to help keep staff and donors safe. In addition, there is no evidence and there are no reported cases of the coronavirus — or any respiratory virus — being transmitted by a blood transfusion. More information about safety protocols, eligibility and travel deferrals are on RedCrossBlood.org.
This is the time to take care of one another. If you are healthy and feeling well, please make an appointment to donate now and in the coming weeks by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
In 2019, Bayer Fund awarded more than $14 million to over 3,200 charitable and nonprofit organizations to help address essential needs in food and nutrition, STEM education and community development. Over the last five years, nonprofit organizations across the U.S. have received more than $79 million.
To learn more about the American Red Cross of the Pacific Coast visit redcross.org/pacificcoast. To learn more about Bayer Fund visit www.fund.bayer.us.
American Red Cross Media Contact
Nicole Maul
nicole.maul@redcross.org
(559) 320-6224
Bayer Fund Media Contact
Carolyn Nagle
carolyn.nagle@bayer.com
(201) 419-0337
About the American Red Cross Central California Region
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. The American Red Cross Central California Region provides services to 11 counties across Central California that is home to more than 4 million people. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org/centralcalifornia.
About Bayer Fund
Bayer Fund, a philanthropic arm of Bayer, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the communities where Bayer customers and employees live and work by providing funding for food and nutrition, education and community development projects.