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Donations Sought as Red Cross Laments ‘Severe’ Blood Shortage
High flu activity and holiday breaks caused a 35% drop in blood supply, with a critical shortage of types O, A negative, and B negative, officials said.
- A 35% drop in the national blood supply triggered an urgent appeal from the American Red Cross, which said the decline prompted a severe shortage on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
- The Red Cross cited extreme cold and widespread influenza as causes, with 60,000 fewer donations during the Christmas–New Year break and 400 canceled drives, regional centers reported.
- Operationally, blood's 42-day shelf life and hospital needs constrain supplies; the Red Cross said it must collect 12,000 units daily while patients use more than 42,000 units daily.
- Hospitals are now triaging blood products to prioritize urgent cases, and officials said surgeries can be postponed when supplies run low, affecting trauma victims, mothers in childbirth and people with cancer or sickle cell disease.
- To rebuild inventories, the Red Cross is urging people to schedule appointments now via the Blood Donor App, RedCrossBlood.org or 1-800-RED-CROSS and offers Super Bowl LX trip entry through Jan. 25 and $20 e-gift cards Jan. 26–Feb. 28 with scheduled blood drives listed through Feb. 3.
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American Red Cross holds blood drive in Bowling Green amid nationwide shortage - WNKY News 40 Television
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – On Monday in Bowling Green, the American Red Cross held a blood drive at the Holiday Inn amid a nationwide blood shortage. In the past month, the blood supply nationwide has dropped 35% as the Red Cross has declared a severe shortage. Those in Bowling Green could donate to help combat the issue. With rising flu cases and severe weather this winter, it has made it hard for people to come out and make their appointments to don…
The Detroit News+2 Reposted by 2 other sources
Donations sought as Red Cross laments 'severe' blood shortage
The organization said harsh winter weather and surging flu cases have led to a 35% drop in donations.
·Detroit, United States
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Leaning Left0Leaning Right1Center7Last UpdatedBias Distribution88% Center
Bias Distribution
- 88% of the sources are Center
88% Center
C 88%
12%
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