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Red Cross Declares a National Blood Crisis Due to Donation Shortage
Donations have fallen to a four-year summer low, and the Red Cross is limiting type O distribution to hospitals.
- On Monday, the American Red Cross declared a national blood crisis, only the second in its history, as donations fell to a four-year summer low.
- Extreme heat, poor air quality, and foodborne illnesses have reduced donor turnout this summer; the supply of Type O positive blood has dropped below a one-day supply.
- After eight years on-staff at the Red Cross, Emily Alanis required emergency transfusions before giving birth to her son, Elliot. She recalled doctors stating, "Your platelet count has severely dropped and we're calling in specialists to see what we have to do."
- Mara Thompson, American Red Cross communications official, stated, "If we just have three more people at the drives this month donating blood, that would get us out of this critical need and out of this crisis."
- Only 3 percent of people in the U.S. donate blood, while blood units have a shelf life of only 42 days. Michael Turner, a donor recruit manager, emphasized that maintaining scheduled appointments is essential to sustain the on-call reserve.
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources37
Leaning Left1Leaning Right3Center23Last UpdatedBias Distribution85% Center
Bias Distribution
- 85% of the sources are Center
85% Center
C 85%
11%
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