Red Cross declares severe shortage after blood supply sharply falls

The American Red Cross says the need for blood donations is critical. Photo by Lizzy Nyoike

The nation's blood supply has dropped to critically low levels, prompting an urgent call for donors as hospitals continue to face growing pressure to meet patients' needs.

According to the American Red Cross, the national blood supply has fallen by about 35% over the past few months, leading the organization to declare a severe blood shortage, one of the most significant shortages in recent years. The American Red Cross supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood across the U.S. and while seasonal dips are not uncommon, this decline is both deeper and more prolonged than the typical winter slowdowns. 

“This time of year is always challenging for blood collection,” said Dr. Courtney Lawrence, divisional chief medical officer for the Red Cross. She noted that seasonal factors such as intense winter weather and freezing temperatures can potentially delay or cancel blood drives, leaving vital units of blood uncollected.

“This is one of the more significant blood shortages we’ve seen in recent years,” said Carrie Carlson-Guest, communications director for the Red Cross Minnesota and Dakotas region. “Winter illness and weather disruptions have made it harder to rebuild inventories, while hospital demand remains steady."

The combination of widespread illness and cold-front weather conditions throughout the nation – in particular in the south and east – have led to canceled blood drives and fewer available donors, creating a gap between supply and demand. 

For patients, the consequences of that gap can be critical. 

“When blood supplies are low, patients who rely on ongoing or urgent transfusions are most at risk,” Carlson-Guest said. “This includes people receiving cancer treatment, individuals with blood disorders, and patients undergoing major or complex surgeries.”

Blood is essential in critical medical situations, from emergency trauma care to planned surgical procedures. Unlike many other medical resources, it cannot be manufactured. It must be donated and has a limited shelf life. 

Platelets, a key blood component used to control bleeding, are critically vulnerable during shortages. They have a shelf life of just five days. 

For people living with chronic conditions, the blood shortage introduces another layer of concern. 

“For people with chronic conditions who depend on regular transfusions, winter shortages can create added uncertainty because blood can’t be manufactured and must be available when patients need it,” Carlson-Guest said. 

Patients with conditions such as sickle cell disease are especially affected during the shortage. 

“People with sickle cell disease often require frequent, closely matched blood transfusions, making a consistent and diverse blood supply especially important during the winter months,” Carlson-Guest said. 

When supplies drop, maintaining that level of care becomes more challenging for providers. 

The Red Cross is urging eligible donors to step forward. All blood types are needed. 

“Every person’s blood donation can help save lives – plus you help ease the tremendous burden on our doctors and nurses, allowing them to focus on caring for patients,” Lawrence said. 

In Minneapolis, appointments can be scheduled by downloading the mobile Red Cross Blood Donor App, by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment and learn more.