Linda M. MacIntyre, chief nurse of the American Red Cross

·21 min·2 clips

The Red Cross saw a 62% drop in blood drives at schools since the pandemic began, worsening the worst blood shortage in decades.

This episode of The AJN Podcast features host Shawn Kennedy interviewing Dr. Linda M. MacIntyre, the Chief Nurse of the American Red Cross. Their conversation explores the vital roles nurses play within the humanitarian organization, especially during current crises. Dr. MacIntyre shares her career journey from a hemodialysis nurse to her leadership role, emphasizing the value of prevention and community-based work. The discussion highlights the severe national blood shortage, exacerbated by a 10% overall decline in donors and a 62% drop in blood drives at schools and colleges since the pandemic began. Dr. MacIntyre explains the critical need for nurses in biomedical services, particularly for blood collection, and describes alternative "virtual blood drives" through the "Sleeves Up Hearts Open" campaign. She details how the Red Cross, which is 90% volunteer-run, engages nurses in diverse areas like disaster health services, service to the armed forces, and global vaccination initiatives. The conversation also covers the organization's growing focus on climate change resilience due to increasing disaster responses. A surprising insight is that Generation Z, which made up nearly a quarter of blood donors in 2019, accounted for only 10% in 2021. Dr. MacIntyre reveals that the organization is adapting its mission delivery to address heightened needs, including examining its own carbon footprint. She stresses the importance of diverse blood donations for patients with conditions like sickle cell disease, where matching is crucial. The tone is informative and collaborative, reflecting a shared mission between the nursing journal and the humanitarian organization. Listeners interested in nursing advocacy, public health, or volunteer opportunities will find this episode highly valuable. Those seeking a highly technical clinical discussion or breaking news might find the broader organizational focus less engaging.

As heard by us

A practical Red Cross conversation that turns civic duty into specific, usable next steps.

This episode frames a large humanitarian issue in practical terms, showing how the Red Cross responds to immediate needs, from helping Afghan evacuees to keeping blood collections moving during a pandemic-era decline.

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Why you'd press play

You want a clear, practical look at how Red Cross nurses and volunteers respond to blood shortages and Afghan evacuee support.

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