American Red Cross pleads for blood donations amid shortage: Crisis levels

The country’s largest supplier of blood is raising the alarm on a “crisis level” shortage.It’s only the second time in its history the American Red Cross has declared a blood supply crisis.This June, 25% of the blood supply was sapped and now the org is facing a four-year summer low.Right now, they have less than a one day supply of type O positive blood, which is the most commonly used as it’s compatible with the most other types.As a result, they’ve had to limit distribution of this blood to hospitals to make sure they have enough for “the most critical, life-threatening emergencies” across the country.“This summer, blood donations simply are not keeping pace with hospital demand, and inventories — especially type O blood — remain under significant strain,” said Chris Hrouda, president of Red Cross Biomedical Services in a press release.

“Every donation has the potential to help save lives, and we urgently need everyone who is eligible to make an appointment to give blood as soon as possible.”Just three more donors at each blood drive this summer could stop the bleeding and stabilize the supply.Summer is the season where the most blood is needed, but the less blood is given.Since school is out of session, there are significantly less blood donations from students.Plus, people are on vacation, traveling, and busy rather than making time to donate.The Red Cross also points to “extreme heat, poor air quality and widespread foodborne illnesses” as other factors stopping people from getting to blood drives.The only other time the Red Cross has announced a blood supply crisis was in summer 2022.

Since then, they’ve required hospitals to schedule about 65% of their blood needs in advance.While less people are donating, serious physical injuries are up during the summer.There are more car crashes, more outdoor accidents during activities like boating, resulting in traumatic injuries that require massive transfusions to survive.And ...