Red Cross Declares Second-Ever US Blood Crisis

Blood banks are running near empty, and federal health officials are sounding the alarm. For only the second time in its history, the American Red Cross has declared the nation's blood supply in crisis, saying it has under a single day's worth of type O positive blood on hand and is now rationing that most-used blood type to hospitals, Axios reports. The Surgeon General's Office joined the call for donations, warning that prolonged shortages could postpone surgeries and disrupt emergency and trauma care.

• Blood donations have hit a four-year summer low, "deepening an emergency shortage that threatens the availability of lifesaving blood for patients across the country," the Red Cross said in its Monday warning.

"Despite thousands of people answering the call to give, blood donations are not keeping pace with hospital demand—which is up during the summer trauma season," when demand climbs with more travel and accidents, the Red Cross said. "Extreme heat, poor air quality, and widespread foodborne illnesses are contributing to lower donor turnout this summer, further straining the nation's blood supply." The only previous national blood crisis the Red Cross declared was in January 2022, when COVID surges, winter storms, and staffing problems hit the blood supply.

To lure donors, the nonprofit is offering Fandango movie tickets for donations through July 31 and $20 Amazon gift cards for those who give in August. Eligible donors can find drives and book appointments at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS. Matt Trotter, a spokesperson for the Red Cross in the Kansas and Oklahoma region, tells KOSU that blood drive participation normally drops during summer, when people are traveling and colleges and high schools aren't in session.

• "You really never know if you'll need blood; if someone you know will need blood," Trotter says. "One donation can help save multiple lives, so if you've got an hour you can spare, you can do a lot of good with it." He adds that many people incorrectly believe they aren't eligible to give blood because of medication or other issues, and they should check with health care providers about their options.