American Red Cross declares national blood supply crisis

The American Red Cross announced its second-ever national blood supply crisis after blood donations decreased to a four-year summer low and are not keeping pace with hospital demand. The Red Cross is limiting distributions of type O positive blood, the most commonly transfused blood type, to individual hospitals to help ensure blood is available for patients facing the most critical, life-threatening emergencies. The Red Cross declared a national blood crisis only once before in January 2022. An American Hospital Association Member Advisory includes a call to action and resources urging eligible donors to make and keep an appointment to donate blood as soon as possible. The Advisory includes links for AHA members to share to help eligible donors find their closest blood collection location. (American Red Cross news release, 7/27/26)