WASHINGTON – The American Red Cross is facing an emergency blood and platelet shortage.
According to the organization, donors have reached their lowest levels of the year, down 10% since August.
“Throughout the pandemic, we have experienced challenges collecting blood for patients from blood drive cancellations to surging hospital demand. Now with decreased blood donor turnout, our Red Cross blood supply has dropped to the lowest it has been at this time of year since 2015,” said Chris Hrouda, president of Red Cross Biomedical Services. “We recognize that this is a trying time for our country as we balance the new demands of returning to former routines with the ongoing pandemic, but lifesaving blood donations remains essential for hospitals patients in need of emergency and medical care that can’t wait. The Red Cross is working around the clock to meet the blood needs of hospitals and patients – but we can’t do it alone.”
Supplies of O positive and O Negative blood are currently the most requested blood type by hospitals. About 10,000 additional blood donations need to be collected in the next week for at least a month to overcome the shortage and meet current needs across the country.
To get more information on how to give blood or schedule an appointment, you can visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767.
