North Shore Donors Asked To Help As Red Cross Reports National Blood Crisis

The Red Cross said donations hit a four-year summer low as hospital demand rose and type O supplies fell sharply.

By Rachel Barnes, Patch Staff

Aug 25, 2026 1:29 PM CDT

EVANSTON, IL — North Shore residents are being urged to donate blood after the American Red Cross declared what it called only the second national blood supply crisis in its history.

The organization said blood donations have fallen to a four-year summer low, while hospital demand is rising during the summer trauma season.

The Red Cross said it now has less than a one-day national supply of type O positive blood, the most commonly transfused blood type. To help preserve blood for the most critical emergencies, the organization has begun limiting distributions of type O blood to individual hospitals, officials said.

The Red Cross said extreme heat, poor air quality and widespread foodborne illnesses are contributing to lower donor turnout this summer. Many blood collectors have also reported critical shortages this summer, the organization said.

"The Red Cross takes its responsibility as the nation's largest single provider of blood products incredibly seriously and has worked tirelessly to strengthen the blood supply for our hospital partners," said Chris Hrouda, president of Red Cross Biomedical Services. "Following our first-ever national blood crisis in 2022, we put additional safeguards in place to help prevent a crisis like that from happening again. But this summer, blood donations simply are not keeping pace with hospital demand, and inventories — especially type O blood — remain under significant strain. Every donation has the potential to help save lives, and we urgently need everyone who is eligible to make an appointment to give blood as soon as possible."

For North Shore residents looking to help, upcoming nearby Red Cross blood drives are scheduled for:

Residents can also donate at nearby Vitalant hospitals in Glenview, 2510 Waukegan Rd.; Lake Bluff, 223 N. Waukegan Rd.; and Evanston, 2436 Main St.

The Red Cross said January 2022 is the only other time it declared a national blood crisis. Since then, the organization said it has put prevention measures in place, including enhanced planning with hospitals for ongoing needs. Still, the Red Cross said this summer's elevated demand and ongoing collection challenges pushed the national blood supply to crisis levels.

The organization said three more donors at each blood drive this summer could help end the crisis and stabilize the blood supply. People who donate from Aug. 1 through Aug. 31, 2026, will receive a $20 Amazon Gift Card by email, according to the Red Cross. Appointments can be made through the Blood Donor App, at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS.