American Red Cross declares emergency blood shortage as inventory plummets, offering $20 Amazon gift cards to donors

The American Red Cross has reported a severe blood shortage, with inventory levels dropping over 25% in July, forcing the organization to ration type O blood.

Heat waves and impending storms have disrupted blood drives, with the Red Cross reporting:

Heat impacted almost 100 blood drives across the country in July as it braces for further disruptions caused by hurricanes.

The organization is bracing for further challenges as storms could result in "blood drive cancellations and lower donor turnout," putting lives at risk.

The climate crisis is literally bleeding us dry, and it's hitting vulnerable communities the hardest. The summer slump in donations, caused by vacation travel, is now compounded by extreme weather events that are becoming increasingly common due to climate change.

Dr. Baia Lasky, division chief medical officer for the Red Cross, emphasizes the urgency of the situation:

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 demand for blood remains constant, yet donations are at a record low. The Red Cross reports that only 6.8 million Americans donated blood once in 2023, a shocking statistic. Donorship has plummeted by 40% in the past 20 years, and this crisis hit just over a year after the FDA lifted an archaic ban on men who have sex with men donating blood.

The blood shortage is a stark reminder of the systemic issues within our healthcare system and the impact of bigoted policies.

As an incentive, the Red Cross is offering $20 Amazon gift cards to those who donate blood in August.

It's time to stand together and bleed for change.