American Red Cross declares second-ever national blood supply crisis

Donations to top US provider have dropped to four-year summer low with less than a day’s supply of type O positive The American Red Cross has declared the second-ever national blood supply crisis after blood donations fell to a four-year summer low. On Monday, the 145-year old non-profit said that as the United States’

The American 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.

Earlier this week, the Red Cross said it had less than a one-day supply of type O positive blood, which is "the most commonly transfused blood type."

2 min readJul 30, 2026 03:03 PM IST The American Red Cross declared a critical US blood supply shortage—only the second time in its 150-year history—after levels dropped by 25% in a single month. (File Photo/Canva)The American Red Cross, for the second time in its history, declared a blood supply “crisis” in the United

A blood supply shortage in the US has reached a "crisis" level, according to the American Red Cross, which says it is the second time in its 150-year history that levels have been this low.

Critical shortage: Red Cross declares second-ever blood supply crisis  USA Today

Fewer donations and higher demand has seen a supply shortage worsen, the American Red Cross tells the BBC.

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

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO— The Hann Foundation, Inc. (HFI), the corporate social responsibility arm of the Hann Group, donated a fully equipped mobile blood donation bus to the Pampanga and Angeles City chapters of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) on Tuesday in New Clark City, Tarlac. PRC chairman and former senator Richard G

The disaster relief nonprofit is specifically seeking type O donors, as their blood is the most widely compatible