PARKERSBURG, W.Va. -- The American Red Cross has declared an emergency blood shortage after its national blood supply dropped nearly 25% in June, prompting an urgent call for donors to help prevent disruptions to patient care.
The organization said donations have declined sharply since the end of May, creating a widening gap between available blood supplies and hospital demand. The shortage is particularly severe for O-positive and B-negative blood types.
According to the Red Cross, hospitals are receiving nearly 3,500 more units of blood per week than anticipated during what is typically the peak of trauma season. At the same time, summer schedules and the seasonal loss of school blood drives have contributed to fewer donations.
“The most important way to help end the blood shortage is to give blood now,” the Red Cross said.
Appointments can be made through the Red Cross Blood Donor App, at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
As an incentive, donors who give blood between July 13 and July 31 will receive a Fandango movie ticket by email, valued at up to $15, including ticket price and fees.
The Red Cross also cited misconceptions about the nation’s blood supply as a contributing factor to lower donor participation. A recent survey found fewer than one in five respondents understood that blood cannot be stockpiled because it has a limited shelf life and must be continually replenished through volunteer donations.
The survey also found only about half of respondents believed it was very likely that they or someone close to them would need a blood transfusion, despite someone in the United States receiving blood every two seconds.
“A readily available blood supply serves as the backbone of modern medicine. Without it, lifesaving treatments and critical access points to care are not possible,” said Dr. Courtney Lawrence, medical director for the Red Cross. “Emergency departments, operating rooms and labor and delivery units can’t support patients with the most urgent needs, and cancer patients must wait. We’re asking donors to give now before doctors are forced to make those difficult decisions.”
The American Red Cross supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood and relies on volunteer donors to help meet the needs of hospitals and patients nationwide.