This is the second national blood supply crisis declared by the American Red Cross in its history. The first national blood crisis declared by the American Red Cross occurred in January 2022. The organization supplies about 40% of the nation's blood and serves as the National Red Cross Society in the United States. The Red Cross was established in 1881.

Hospitals face acute shortages because type O positive blood can be given to about 80% of patients. Type O positive blood accounts for about 60% of the American Red Cross's blood distributions. Consequently, the American Red Cross is limiting distributions of type O blood to hospitals. The American Red Cross is distributing nearly 3,500 more units of blood to hospitals each week than expected.

The national blood supply dropped about 25% in June. PureSource News previously reported on the American Red Cross declaring a national blood emergency after this 25% drop. Extreme heat, poor air quality and widespread foodborne illnesses are contributing to lower donor turnout this summer, further straining the nation’s blood supply. The national supply of type O positive blood is less than one day’s worth.

"Despite thousands of people answering the call to give, blood donations are not keeping pace with hospital demand – which is up during the summer trauma season," Paul Sullivan, Senior Vice President of Donor Services, said. Hospital demand increases during the summer trauma season. Someone in the U.S. receives blood every two seconds.

Just three additional donors at each blood drive this summer can end the crisis and stabilize the blood supply. Approximately 62% of the U.S. population, roughly 212 million people, is eligible to donate blood. However, only 3% of eligible U.S. donors donate blood each year.

A survey by the American Red Cross found that fewer than 1 in 5 people knew blood cannot be stockpiled because it has a limited shelf life. Donated blood must be used within 42 days because blood cells degrade over time. A survey by the American Red Cross found that only about half of respondents believed they or someone close to them would likely need a blood transfusion.

To encourage donations, donors who give blood by July 31 will receive a Fandango movie ticket by email worth up to $15 plus fees. Donors who give blood between August 1 and August 31 will receive a $20 Amazon Gift Card by email. Appointments to donate blood can be made through the Blood Donor App, at RedCrossBlood.org, or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

A readily available blood supply serves as the backbone of modern medicine. Without it, lifesaving treatments and critical access points to care are not possible. The current shortage limits the ability of medical providers to respond to emergencies, particularly those requiring universal donor blood.

The scale of the shortage reflects a gap between eligibility and participation. While roughly 212 million people are eligible to donate, only a small fraction do so annually. The decline in donations during June exacerbated existing pressures from seasonal trauma demands and environmental factors affecting donor turnout.