FORT MILL, S.C. — The Red Cross said it's experiencing an emergency shortage of blood due to a decrease in donations.
Regional executive for blood services Angela Powley told WCNC Charlotte the shortage has forced the blood supplier to limit what it can give to hospitals.
Giving blood saves lives, and a Fort Mill, South Carolina, 11-year-old girl is proof of that.
Wren Jansen loves competitive cheerleading.
"The hype and flipping, all of it's really fun," Wren said.
Her mom Brandi Jansen is grateful to see Wren is healthy now and doing what she loves.
"It takes my breath away to see her, how strong she is now," Brandi Jansen said. "There were days she couldn’t pick her head off of the pillow."
Wren was 3 years old when she was diagnosed with leukemia and tumors in her skull.
The Jansens' world turned upside down with that news, but they quickly sprang into action to save Wren.
"One of the first things they did when we got to the floor is like, ‘She needs blood, and she needs it now,’" Brandi Jansen recalled.
But Brandi Jansen couldn't donate because she had just found out she was pregnant. Over the course of her treatment, Wren needed 17 blood transfusions. There was a blood shortage back then.
"It was striking to me that there could have not been blood when my daughter needed it," Brandi Jansen shared.
Now, that blood shortage has only gotten worse.
"Fewer and fewer people have been donating blood," Powley said. "Really, it's fallen by about 40%."
Powley added The Red Cross has had to start holding back some blood products from hospitals.
"Hospitals have to make some hard decisions," Powley added.
With Wren now cured after being in remission for five years, the Jansens hope others will jump at the opportunity to give blood to save people like Wren
"We’ve been on a mission ever since 2016 to help stock 'unicorn juice,' which is what Wren calls blood," Brandi Jansen said.
Their nonprofit Wren’s Village raises money for children with cancer and hosts blood drives every September.
To donate blood, people can make appointments on The Red Cross's website or download its app. Simply type in a ZIP code and see donation centers and drives nearby.
WCNC Charlotte is committed to reporting on the many issues facing the communities we serve. We tell the stories of people working to solve persistent social problems. We examine how problems can be solved or addressed to improve the quality of life and make a positive difference. WCNC Charlotte is seeking solutions for you. Send your tips or questions to newstips@wcnc.com.