Red Cross declares national blood crisis as donations hit 4-year low, blood dips below a-day supply

NewsThe Red Cross just declared only its second national blood crisis ever — and blood banks have less than a day's supply of one key type. Here's what's happening, and how you can help.Red CrossBy Dallas Gagnon | MassLive.comThe American Red Cross has declared its second-ever national blood supply crisis, after donations sank to a four-year summer low.The organization, which supplies roughly 40% of the nation’s blood, says it now has less than a one-day supply of type O positive blood on hand — the most commonly transfused blood type. The American Red Cross said it has begun limiting how much it sends to individual hospitals. “Extreme heat, poor air quality and widespread foodborne illnesses are contributing to lower donor turnout this summer, further straining the nation’s blood supply,” the organization said. The crisis marks only the second-ever in the organization’s history. The first was declared in January 2022. According to the American Red Cross, it would take just three additional donors at each blood drive nationwide to stabilize the supply.“Blood donations simply are not keeping pace with hospital demand,” said Chris Hrouda, president of Red Cross Biomedical Services.Why type O blood mattersSince the 2022 crisis, the American Red Cross said hospitals now schedule about 65% of their expected blood needs in advance — a shift meant to preserve type O supply for the most urgent cases. But the American Red Cross said that coordination can’t make up for a sustained drop in donors.Type O blood makes up about 60% of what the American Red Cross distributes to hospitals. Type O positive can be transfused into roughly 80% of patients. Type O negative is the universal type, relied on in emergencies when there is no time to test a patient’s blood type.How to donate and what’s in it for youFind a blood drive or donation center near you at RedCrossBlood.org/give, through the Blood Donor App, or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).Donate by July 31 and you’ll get a Fandango Movie Ticket (up to a $15 value) by email.Starting Aug. 1, the reward gets bigger — donors will receive a $20 Amazon Gift Card instead, through Aug. 31.Full terms for both offers are available at RedCrossBlood.org.FDA approves first-of-its-kind pain medication for long-lasting reliefSam’s Club glassware ‘copycats’ high-end brand at a third of the priceSay goodbye: SNAP soda, candy ban goes into effect for more states in upcoming weeksPopular discount chain adds 26 new stores: See the listPrincipal in Springfield Courthouse development withdraws interest over ethics questionsDallas Gagnon is a Business Trending Reporter and a Reporting Fellow with the Newhouse School of Communications. Dallas covers everything from business openings and closures, national business news, layoff...