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.
Why is there a blood shortage?
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 all this doesn’t stop the flow of year-round need for blood in surgeries, chemotherapy, or illnesses that cause anemia, like leukemia or kidney disease.
Every two seconds in the US, someone needs blood or platelets.
Who should donate blood?
The Red Cross needs all blood types — A, B, AB blood are all crucial for donations. But type O is the most important to donate, and to donate regularly — it accounts for 60% of their distributions.
Making sure other types of blood are available is important to reserve O for those who really need it — type O patients, and patients whose emergencies are too urgent, and there isn’t time to figure out their blood type.
For whole blood donations, you must be in good health and feeling well, at least 16 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds.
Common reasons people can’t donate include colds, flu, or other illnesses, low iron, or travel to a malaria-risk country in the last three years. Also, some medications can disqualify you from donating blood.
How to donate with the American Red Cross
The Red Cross urges all eligible donors to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.
You can do so by using their Blood Donor App, by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
If an immediate appointment is not available, donors are encouraged to schedule a donation in the days and weeks ahead to help the Red Cross replenish and maintain a stable blood supply.
Those who donate in August will receive a $20 Amazon Gift Card by email.
