Our nation’s blood supply is in some major trouble currently, according to the American Red Cross.
On Monday, the Red Cross declared a national blood crisis for the second time ever in its history. Blood and platelet levels have fallen to a dangerous low, officials say. Eligible Americans are being urged to schedule a donation as quickly as possible, particularly people with type O-positive blood.
“[T]his summer, blood donations simply are not keeping pace with hospital demand, and inventories —especially type O blood—remain under significant strain,” said Chris Hrouda, president of Red Cross Biomedical Services, in a statement from the American Red Cross.
Dangerously low
Even in the best of times, the national blood supply lies on shaky ground. Roughly two-thirds of Americans are eligible to donate, yet about 3% of eligible people do so annually. And since most blood products have a limited shelf life (only five days for platelets), hospitals constantly need new donations to keep the supply stocked.
In January 2022, the American Red Cross was forced to declare its first ever blood supply crisis, likely fueled by the surge of covid-19 cases seen that winter caused by the emergence of the Omicron variant. And though the organization had reportedly taken additional safeguards to prevent such a crisis again, history has now repeated itself.
The Red Cross issued a national blood emergency on July 13, after a 25% decline in the nation’s blood supply the previous month, but the situation has only worsened since. Recent donations have fallen to a four-year summer low, while hospital demand has stayed high. Summer months tend to see a rise in traumatic injuries that could warrant blood transfusions. The organization cites extreme heat, poor air quality, and widespread foodborne illnesses as factors contributing to lower donor turnout this summer.
Type O-positive blood, the most commonly transfused type, is especially precarious, with the current inventory now below one day’s supply. As a result, the Red Cross has been forced to start limiting distributions of type O blood to individual hospitals. Platelet levels aren’t doing so hot either, with the organization experiencing an emergency platelet shortage.
The American Red Cross is the single largest blood supplier in the U.S., accounting for roughly 40% of the national blood supply. But it’s hardly the only place facing trouble this summer. Two weeks ago, the Red Cross, the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies, and America’s Blood Centers (which covers most of the remaining 60%) issued a joint statement calling for more donors.
Donate now if possible
Without enough blood, hospitals and doctors are forced to triage the limited supply available, which can lead to people not getting the optimal medical care they need, including in life-or-death situations. So if you’re eligible, which you can see for yourself here, making time for donation is just about the best gift you can give someone this summer.
“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,” said Hrouda.
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