Red Cross Declares National Blood Crisis, Urges LA County Donors To Help

LOS ANGELES, CA — The American Red Cross is urging eligible Los Angeles County residents to donate blood after declaring a national blood supply crisis this week.

It's the second time in the history of the Red Cross that the organization has declared such a crisis. Blood donations have fallen to a four-year summer low and are not keeping pace with hospital demand during the busy summer trauma season, the organization said in a release.

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The organization said extreme heat, poor air quality and widespread foodborne illnesses have contributed to lower donor turnout across the country.

The Red Cross now has less than a one-day national supply of type O positive blood, the most commonly transfused blood type. The shortage has prompted the organization to limit distributions of type O blood to individual hospitals so supplies remain available for the most serious emergencies.

Type O blood accounts for about 60 percent of Red Cross blood distributions. Type O positive blood can be given to roughly 80 percent of patients, while type O negative blood is commonly used in emergencies when there is no time to determine a patient's blood type.

"Blood donations simply are not keeping pace with hospital demand, and inventories — especially type O blood — remain under significant strain," Chris Hrouda, president of Red Cross Biomedical Services, said in a statement.

The Red Cross previously declared a national blood crisis in January 2022. Since then, the organization said it has strengthened coordination with hospitals and improved advance planning for blood needs, but those measures have not offset this summer's decline in donations.

The Red Cross estimates that three additional donors at each blood drive this summer could help end the crisis and stabilize the national supply.

Eligible donors, particularly those with type O blood, can schedule an appointment through the Red Cross Blood Donor App, at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 800-733-2767.

People who donate by July 31 will receive a Fandango movie ticket by email, valued at up to $15 plus fees. Those who donate from Aug. 1 through Aug. 31 will receive a $20 Amazon gift card by email, according to the organization.