American Red Cross Declares Blood Crisis, Says Donations Are at 4-Year Low

America’s blood supply is running low—here’s how important your type is

Extreme heat, poor air quality and foodborne illnesses have discouraged Americans from donating blood, leaving the US in a crisis.

Red Cross declares second national blood shortage

With all blood types needed, the Red Cross says it is in dire need of Type O blood. The organization has been limiting distribution of Type O blood to hospitals, with Type O positive blood now at a one-day supply.

Red Cross declares national blood emergency as donations fall to four-year summer low

The organization says hospitals are using blood faster than donors can replace it, leaving less than a one-day supply of Type O-positive blood

Red Cross Declares National Blood Supply Emergency

The Huffington Post reports: For only the second time ever, the American Red Cross has declared an emergency national blood crisis, urgently requesting donors to step up, especially those with type O positive blood. “As the nation’s largest single provider of blood products, the Red Cross now has less than a one-day national supply of type O positive blood — the most commonly transfused blood type,” said the humanitarian organization, which cred…

National blood crisis prompts pleas from patients: 'We depend on it'

The American Red Cross declared a national blood crisis Monday, marking only the second time in the organization's history that it has issued such a declaration.