With Blood Supply at Emergency Levels, Red Cross Calls for Donors

With a shortfall of 50,000 donations so far in June, blood shortages have reached emergency levels, and American Red Cross officials are calling for all eligible donors to give as soon as possible.

As compared with year-ago levels, the organization has half the readily available blood products on hand that it expects to need. Donors with O positive, O negative, B negative and A negative blood types are especially needed.

“Blood must be available at a moment's notice when seconds count to help save or sustain a life,” said Donna M. Morrissey, director of communications for the American Red Cross Blood Services's Northeast Division, in a statement.

“We have reached an emergency situation and the blood will not be there without the immediate response of volunteer blood donors.”

According to Red Cross officials, the number of blood drives normally held this time of year has fallen, possibly due to donors getting a head start in early spring, or due to the midweek Fourth of July holiday, which they said has reduced the number of blood drives because of extended vacations.

The need never goes away, however. Roughly every two seconds, a patient in the United States needs a blood transfusion, according to Red Cross statistics. Blood and platelets are used in the care of accident and burn victims, heart surgery, organ transplants, complications during childbirth and for patients receiving treatment for cancer or sickle cell disease.

“The Red Cross relies upon generous blood donors so we can supply blood when and where it is needed,” Morrissey said. “Right now, patients in hospitals across the country need you to roll up your sleeve and give the gift of lifesaving blood.”

To reach its goal, officials said the Red Cross is adding emergency blood drives and extending blood drive hours and scheduled drives.

According to the charity, its next Collingswood blood drive will be held at on July 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. To schedule an appointment, click here.

The Red Cross also maintains a list of additional blood drives online.