The American Red Cross declares a national blood supply crisis, citing that its supply of type O positive blood falls below one day of the national inventory and that summer donations are at their lowest level in four years. The organization says the shortfall has led it to restrict distribution of type O blood to hospitals, which can require providers to prioritize patients waiting for transfusions.
Type O makes up about 60% of Red Cross blood distributions, and type O positive is used for both routine care and emergency treatment; it can be given to a large share of patients. The Red Cross and the U.S. Surgeon General’s office call on eligible donors to schedule appointments to help rebuild supplies.
The Red Cross attributes the gap between demand and collections to factors that can reduce donor turnout or disqualify donors, including extreme heat, poor air quality, and widespread foodborne illnesses during the summer. The organization says an extended shortage could affect elective surgeries and other treatments that rely on transfusions.
This is the second national blood crisis in the Red Cross’s history, following a crisis declared in January 2022.
