The American Red Cross has declared its second-ever national blood supply crisis, warning that inventories have fallen 25 percent in the last month and that less than a day's supply of the most common blood type, Type O, remains.
This shortage is forcing the nonprofit, the largest blood supplier in the United States, to limit distributions to hospitals and has led to delays for patients awaiting critical blood transfusions. The organization has urged eligible donors to schedule appointments to give blood as soon as possible.
Summer months are typically challenging for blood donations due to vacations, extreme heat, and the suspension of school-based blood drives. This year, the situation has been exacerbated by three "heat domes" that have settled over parts of the U.S., driving temperatures well above 90°F (32°C) and impacting donation efforts.
Chris Hrouda, president of Red Cross Biomedical Services, stated, "This summer, blood donations simply are not keeping pace with hospital demand, and inventories — especially type O blood — remain under significant strain." He emphasized that "every donation has the potential to help save lives."
The crisis coincides with "trauma season," the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day when the need for blood to treat injuries increases. Current Red Cross blood distributions to hospitals are nearly 3,500 units higher per week than anticipated.
The organization reported a decline in donations beginning in May. The first national blood crisis was declared in January 2022, primarily due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Patients most at risk of severe impact include those with life-threatening emergencies such as accident victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and individuals undergoing treatment for leukemia, cancer, or sickle cell disease. Type O blood accounts for approximately 60 percent of Red Cross distributions due to its critical role in both everyday patient care and emergency situations. While about 37 to 38 percent of Americans have Type O blood, the Red Cross also requires donations of all blood types, including A, B, and AB, to maintain adequate national supplies.
With Type O positive inventories critically low, hospitals face the prospect of insufficient blood for emergencies like multi-vehicle accidents or shootings. Instead of fulfilling orders in full, the Red Cross is now prioritizing Type O blood allocations to hospitals based on the most urgent, life-threatening emergencies. This rationing means scheduled procedures such as heart bypasses, organ transplants, and routine cancer treatments may face delays, while trauma victims and emergency surgery patients are prioritized.
Blood transfusions are essential for patients with leukemia, bone marrow transplant recipients, and those undergoing aggressive chemotherapy, who rely on regular transfusions to survive. The Red Cross is encouraging Americans to donate by visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-733-2767. Donors who give blood will receive a Fandango movie ticket. The organization estimates that just three additional donors at each blood drive this summer could help stabilize the national supply.
Eligibility requirements for donating blood include being in good health, at least 16 years old (in most states), and weighing at least 110 pounds. Donors can give blood every 56 days, up to six times a year.