SALT LAKE CITY — The American Red Cross declared a national blood crisis Monday for only the second time in its history, warning that patient care is at risk as donations have plummeted to a four-year summer low.
Supplies of Type O blood have dropped so sharply that the Red Cross has begun limiting distributions of both Type O-positive and Type O-negative blood to hospitals. The national supply of Type O-positive blood has fallen to less than a single day’s reserve. Officials warned that when inventory drops this low, life-saving surgeries may be postponed and patients requiring transfusions could face dangerous delays.
“We cannot manufacture blood, and there is no substitute for a donor who takes an hour to give,” said Heidi Ruster, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross Utah/Nevada Region. “We’re grateful to the thousands of people who have donated this month. That response has helped, but it hasn’t been enough to reverse the decline.”
The only other national blood crisis in the organization’s history was declared in January 2022 as the country emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic. The current shortage intensified after the national blood supply dropped nearly 25% in a single month, prompting a preliminary blood emergency declaration on July 13. Red Cross officials noted that donations and scheduled appointments have steadily declined since late May.
Type O blood is particularly critical for emergency care, trauma cases, surgeries and cancer treatments. Type O-positive is the most transfused blood type and can be given to approximately 80% of the population. Type O-negative is the universal blood type used by hospitals in immediate emergencies when a patient’s blood type is unknown, though only 7% of the population has it. Summer travel and shifting seasonal schedules frequently disrupt regular donation habits.
To meet patient demands, the Red Cross must collect roughly 13,000 blood donations and 3,000 platelet donations every day. The organization supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood to more than 2,500 hospitals and transfusion centers, including nearly 45 hospitals across Utah.
Local donation drives are taking place over the next several weeks, including Aug. 4 at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Logan. Additional drives are being held later this month at Hyde Park City Hall on Aug. 17, Saddleback Harley-Davidson on Aug. 18 and the First Presbyterian Church on Aug. 19.
Officials are urging the public to schedule appointments immediately by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcross.org, or calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
To encourage donors, those who give blood or platelets through July 31 will receive a Fandango movie ticket by email valued up to $15. Donors who come to give between Aug. 1 and Aug. 31 will receive a $20 Amazon gift card via email.