American Red Cross declares second-ever national blood supply crisis
The American Red Cross has declared a national blood supply crisis due to a significant drop in donations during the summer months. The organization reports less than a one-day supply of type O positive blood, which is critical for emergency medical care.
Why it matters
A shortage of type O positive blood, the most commonly transfused type, poses a direct threat to hospital operations and emergency patient survival rates.
A clinician assists a blood donor during an American Red Cross blood drive at Hollywood's Magic Castle in Los Angeles, California, on Tuesday. A clinician assists a blood donor during an American Red Cross blood drive at Hollywood's Magic Castle in Los Angeles, California, on Tuesday. US news American Red Cross declares second-ever national blood supply crisis Donations to top US provider have dropped to four-year summer low with less than a day’s supply of type O positive
Prefer the Guardian on Google The American Red Cross has declared the second-ever national blood supply crisis after blood donations fell to a four-year summer low.
On Monday, the 145-year-old non-profit said that as the United States’ largest single provider of blood products, it now has less than one-day national supply of type O positive blood – the most commonly transfused blood.
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