Red Cross Declares Emergency Blood Shortage; Supply Plummets 25% in July

• The American Red Cross has declared an emergency blood shortage, with inventory dropping over 25% in July.
• The organization cites heat-related cancellations and the threat of hurricanes as imminent disruptions to an already low supply.
• The Red Cross warns that the impending storms could lead to further cancellations and lower donor turnout.

"Blood cannot be manufactured or stockpiled and can only be made available through the kindness of volunteer donors. It’s the blood on the shelves now that helps during an emergency." – The Red Cross

Type O Blood Rationed

• Demands from hospitals remain constant, forcing the Red Cross to reduce distributions of Type O blood—the most common blood group used in transfusions.
• Dr. Baia Lasky, division chief medical officer for the Red Cross, highlights the critical role of donors, stating that "more than a quarter of all blood products each year are used in critical care and emergency room situations."

Donorship at Record Lows

• The Red Cross reports that only 6.8 million Americans donated blood once in 2023, the lowest number on record.
• In the past 20 years, donorship has dropped by 40%.
• The Red Cross is offering incentives, including $20 Amazon gift cards, to encourage donations in August.