RI Blood Donors Urgently Needed As Red Cross Declares National Crisis

For only the second time in history, the American Red Cross has declared a national blood supply crisis and is urging eligible people in Rhode Island to donate as hospitals face a severe shortage, particularly of type O blood.

Blood donations have fallen to a four-year summer low and are not keeping pace with hospital demand during the busy trauma season, the Red Cross said. The only other time the Red Cross declared a national blood crisis was in January 2022.

The Red Cross said it has less than a one-day national supply of type O positive blood, the most commonly transfused blood type, and has begun limiting the amount sent to individual hospitals so supplies remain available for patients with the most critical needs.

Extreme heat, poor air quality and widespread foodborne illnesses have contributed to lower donor turnout this summer, according to the organization. At the same time, demand has increased as hospitals treat more people injured in accidents and other emergencies.

The Red Cross said adding just three donors at each blood drive this summer could stabilize the national supply. Donors of every blood type are needed, but the organization is especially seeking people with type O positive and O negative blood.

Type O blood accounts for about 60% of Red Cross blood distributions. O positive blood can be given to about 80% of patients, while O negative is the universal blood type used during emergencies when doctors do not have time to determine a patient’s blood type.

Eligible donors may schedule an appointment through the Red Cross Blood Donor App, at RedCrossBlood.org, or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS or 1-800-733-2767. People who cannot find an immediate opening are encouraged to schedule an appointment in the coming days or weeks. People who donate from Aug. 1 through Aug. 31 will receive a $20 Amazon gift card by email, according to the Red Cross.

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