American Red Cross issues nationwide emergency for blood shortage
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The American Red Cross has issued a national emergency due to a blood shortage over the last two months.
According to a statement from the North Alabama chapter, the nation’s blood supply has declined by nearly 25% over the past month. That shortage has created a critical gap between blood availability and patient need.
Without a stable blood supply, hospitals could face challenges that could impact:
- Cancer treatment
- Trauma care
- Emergency surgeries
- Childbirth
This shortage comes amid the summer trauma season, the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day when the need for blood to treat traumatic injuries often increases. Currently, Red Cross blood distributions to hospitals are nearly 3,500 units higher per week than expected.
So the American Red Cross is asking for the public’s help to limit the impact of the June shortage. Here’s what you need to know.
How to give blood in Alabama
Our local Red Cross chapters have pointed to three key ways you can help.
- Give blood
- Schedule an appointment by visiting redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS
- There are two major donation centers in Alabama but ongoing blood drives across the state.
- Spread the word
- Encourage friends, family and colleagues to donate blood and help raise awareness of this urgent need within your network.
- Financial donation
- Even if you are not eligible to give blood, there are other ways to help.
- Financial support helps the Red Cross with:
- Recruiting donors
- Collecting + testing blood products
- Transporting lifesaving blood to hospitals
- Maintaining the infrastructure needed to ensure blood is available
“Our donors allow us to help save countless lives. Today, we’re asking you to stand with us once again as we work to rebuild the nation’s blood supply. Together, we can help replenish hospital shelves, support local communities, and ensure patients receive the lifesaving blood products they depend on.”
North Alabama chapter of the American Red Cross
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