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The American Red Cross is now declaring a national blood crisis. A blood supply crisis is the most extreme blood shortage, posing a concerning risk to patient care. Doctors will be forced to make difficult decisions
about who receives blood transfusions and who will need to wait until more blood products become available.
American Red Cross inventories of the most-needed blood types -- including type O -- are now at crisis levels. The Red Cross is now limiting distributions of type O blood to hospitals, and the supply of type O blood has now fallen below a one-day supply. Patients with type O blood are most vulnerable during the current shortage. Nearly half of the U.S. population has type O blood and would require type O blood if they needed a blood transfusion.
Eligible donors are encouraged to make and keep appointments in the weeks and months ahead to ensure the Red Cross can replenish and then maintain a sufficient blood supply now and throughout the remainder of the year.