American Red Cross declares national blood crisis as type O supply drops to dangerous levels

The organization released a warning about the second-ever blood supply crisis this week after blood donations fell to a four-year summer low.

This decline worsens an emergency shortage that “threatens the availability of lifesaving blood for patients across the country,” the organization wrote in a press release.

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The Red Cross is now limiting distributions of type O blood to hospitals, as the nation’s largest single provider of blood products now has less than a one-day national supply of type O positive blood.

Type O blood accounts for about 60% of Red Cross blood distributions and is essential for both everyday patient care and medical emergencies.

Type O positive is the most commonly transfused blood type, according to the Red Cross, and can be safely given to about 80% of patients. 

Type O negative remains the universal blood type “relied upon when every second counts.”

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While thousands of Americans show up to donate blood, these donations are reportedly not keeping up with hospital demand during summer trauma season.

This summer’s conditions, amid extreme heat, poor air quality and foodborne illnesses, have contributed to lower donor turnout, the Red Cross reported. Other blood collectors have also reported critical shortages this summer.

The Red Cross advised that just three more donors at each blood drive can end the crisis and stabilize the blood supply.

It encourages Americans to book an appointment by using the Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

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Chris Hrouda, president of Red Cross Biomedical Services, shared information about the developing emergency in a statement.

“The Red Cross takes its responsibility as the nation’s largest single provider of blood products incredibly seriously and has worked tirelessly to strengthen the blood supply for our hospital partners,” he said.

Following the organization’s first national blood crisis in January 2022, Hrouda said the Red Cross has put “additional safeguards” in place to help “prevent a crisis like that from happening again.”

“But this summer, blood donations simply are not keeping pace with hospital demand, and inventories — especially type O blood — remain under significant strain,” he said.

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“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.”