Overview
- The American Red Cross says donations have dropped to a four‑year summer low and that type O supplies are at or below a one‑day national reserve.
- Donations fell about 25% in June, a shortfall the Red Cross says pushed distributions above expectations and forced it to limit some type O shipments to hospitals.
- Hospitals report they cannot fill typical Red Cross orders, which has already led some centers to tighten blood use and consider delaying nonurgent transfusion‑dependent procedures.
- The Red Cross and regional centers cite routine summer declines plus extreme heat, poor air quality, and recent foodborne illness outbreaks as drivers of lower donor turnout.
- Blood is perishable and must be collected continuously; the Red Cross supplies about 40% of U.S. blood and says just three extra donors at each drive this summer could help stabilize inventories while time‑limited incentives are being offered.