Red Cross Declares National Blood Crisis Over Low Donations

The American Red Cross has declared a national blood supply crisis, the second such emergency in the organization's history, as donations have fallen to a four-year summer low and the supply of critical type O blood has dropped to less than a one-day national reserve. The organization, which supplies about 40% of the nation's blood to more than 2,500 hospitals, is now limiting distribution of type O blood products to hospitals, a move that can delay surgeries, trauma care, and other treatments.

The crisis stems from a significant gap between supply and demand. The Red Cross must collect approximately 13,000 blood donations and 3,000 platelet donations daily to meet patient needs, but donations are not keeping pace. Hospital demand typically increases during the summer, known as "trauma season," when activities like travel and outdoor recreation lead to more serious injuries requiring transfusions. Officials cite extreme heat, poor air quality, widespread foodborne illnesses, and donor disruptions from vacations and busy schedules as factors contributing to the low turnout.

The shortage is particularly acute for type O blood. Type O positive is the most commonly transfused blood...