VA 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 Virginia 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.

Virginia is no exception. In fact, blood shortages have reached critical levels across the commonwealth.

“Virginia is facing a blood donation shortage,” Gov. Abigail Spanberger said last month. “American Red Cross Virginia Region needs donors — especially those with types O+ and B- blood.”

Blood Donation Centers in Northern Virginia

• Inova CentreMed Donor Center
  • Address: 6201 Centreville Rd., Centreville
  • Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; closed Sunday
• Inova Dulles Donor Center
  • Address: 45745 Nokes Blvd., Suite 160, Sterling
  • Hours: Monday-Tuesday and Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Wednesday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Inova Woodburn Donor Center
  • Address: 3289 Woodburn Rd. Suite 010, Annandale
  • Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
• American Red Cross Fairfax Blood and Platelet Donation Center
  • Address: 8550 Arlington Blvd., Suite 325, Fairfax
  • Hours: Sunday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.; Monday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Tuesday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Wednesday, noon-8 p.m.; Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
• American Red Cross Manassas Blood and Platelet Donation Center
  • Address: 10360 Portsmouth Road, Manassas
  • Hours: Monday, 11 a.m.-7:15 p.m.; Wednesday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.; closed Tuesday and Sunday

Hours may change, so donors should confirm availability and schedule an appointment before visiting.

Virginians can also find local blood drives using this tool.

Stabilizing The Blood Supply

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 percent of Red Cross blood distributions. O positive blood can be given to about 80 percent 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.