The American Red Cross is urging eligible donors to roll up their sleeves after declaring an emergency blood shortage, warning that a sharp decline in donations is putting lifesaving patient care at risk.
The organization said the national blood supply fell nearly 25% in June as donations dropped significantly following Memorial Day. At the same time, hospitals are seeing increased demand during the summer trauma season, when serious injuries often lead to a greater need for blood transfusions.
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According to the Red Cross, it is distributing nearly 3,500 more units of blood to hospitals each week than expected. Officials say busy summer schedules and the seasonal loss of school blood drives have contributed to the shortage.
The shortage is especially severe for O-positive and B-negative blood, though donations of all blood types are needed.
“A readily available blood supply serves as the backbone of modern medicine. Without it, lifesaving treatments and critical access points to care are not possible,” said Dr. Courtney Lawrence, medical director for the American Red Cross.
Lawrence warned that emergency departments, operating rooms, labor and delivery units, and cancer treatment centers all depend on a stable blood supply. Without enough donations, hospitals could be forced to delay care or make difficult decisions about which patients receive blood first.
The Red Cross also released survey findings showing many Americans underestimate how fragile the nation’s blood supply is.
The survey found:
- Fewer than 1 in 5 people knew blood cannot be stockpiled because it has a limited shelf life and must be continuously replenished.
- Only about half of respondents believed they or someone close to them would likely need a blood transfusion one day, even though someone in the U.S. receives blood every two seconds.
How to donate
The Red Cross is encouraging eligible donors to schedule an appointment as soon as possible via the Blood Donor App or at RedCrossBlood.org. Appointments can also be made by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
As a thank-you, anyone who donates blood between July 13 and July 31 will receive a Fandango movie ticket by email, valid for up to $15 toward a ticket and fees. Additional details about the promotion are available on the Red Cross website.
The Red Cross later escalated the situation, declaring only the second national blood supply crisis in its history, citing blood donations that have fallen to a four-year summer low and warning that some hospitals are already experiencing the effects of the shortage.