The American Red Cross has declared only the second national blood supply crisis in its history after blood donations fell to a four-year summer low, deepening an emergency shortage that threatens the availability of lifesaving blood for patients across the country.
Despite thousands of people answering the call to give, blood donations are not keeping pace with hospital demand — which is up during the summer trauma season. Extreme heat, poor air quality and widespread foodborne illnesses are contributing to lower donor turnout this summer, further straining the nation’s blood supply.
As the nation's largest single provider of blood products, the Red Cross now has less than a one-day national supply of type O positive blood — the most commonly transfused blood type. To help ensure blood is available for patients facing the most critical, life-threatening emergencies across the country, the Red Cross has begun limiting distributions of type O blood to individual hospitals.
The Red Cross urges all eligible donors — especially those with type O blood — to make an appointment to give blood as soon as possible using the Blood Donor App, by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). If an immediate appointment is not available, donors are encouraged to schedule a donation in the days and weeks ahead to help the Red Cross replenish and maintain a stable blood supply.
As a thank-you, everyone who comes to give blood by July 31, 2026, will receive a Fandango Movie Ticket by email (up to a $15 ticket price and fees). Those who donate Aug. 1–31, 2026, will receive a $20 Amazon Gift Card by email. Additional details about both offers are available at RedCrossBlood.org.
Just three more donors at each blood drive this summer can end this crisis and stabilize the blood supply.
Yeah I have signed up for Sunday as I'm O- and they offered *extra" on top of the gift card for August for me. (And I don't care about the movie tickets.)
Yeah I have signed up for Sunday as I'm O- and they offered *extra" on top of the gift card for August for me. (And I don't care about the movie tickets.)
Got my appointment scheduled for the eighth, a few days ago. I'm being a little less frequent this year, based on feedback from my doctor on iron levels, but I usually am in fairly often.
Got my appointment scheduled for the eighth, a few days ago. I'm being a little less frequent this year, based on feedback from my doctor on iron levels, but I usually am in fairly often.
Probably. One of my coworkers got caught by it. But sick people cancel their donations, so do people who are dehydrated or feel like it's too hot to go out and donate.
Probably. One of my coworkers got caught by it.
But sick people cancel their donations, so do people who are dehydrated or feel like it's too hot to go out and donate.
Fuck that went bad, we had to stop midway. I nearly had the most intense seizure of my life due to hypocalcemia from the citrate administered in the return. They had no idea what happened, I had...
Fuck that went bad, we had to stop midway. I nearly had the most intense seizure of my life due to hypocalcemia from the citrate administered in the return. They had no idea what happened, I had to piece it together much later once my head started clearing up. My head is still hazy today but I don't think the consent forms properly warned me of that risk, their site guidelines don't note the seizure risk from what I could find. He said they still got a usable unit, though I'm not sure if he was just trying to comfort me.
So yeah, if you have a seizure risk, beware the apharesis donations. I'll be sticking to whole blood from now on.
I’ve never heard of that and I’m sorry it went so poorly for you. I’m also O+ and when I donated I would always decline the double red option. It exists for people that won’t be able to go often....
I’ve never heard of that and I’m sorry it went so poorly for you.
I’m also O+ and when I donated I would always decline the double red option. It exists for people that won’t be able to go often. You need to wait 8 weeks after a normal donation and 16 after double red. I just went every 8 weeks and they’d get whole blood not just red blood cells. I could also notice intense cardio was harder after donating a single unit of RBC. It would be more than 2x worse with a double.
Thanks. They did not, I do recall a note on the form referencing calcium tablets, but no offers or mentions of it by staff. I wonder how effective it would've been.
Thanks.
They did not, I do recall a note on the form referencing calcium tablets, but no offers or mentions of it by staff. I wonder how effective it would've been.
That’s unfortunate. I always take them at home before I go, but the site I donate at has got a bottle at check-in for anyone who forgets. Also, as part of the intake they always ask if I’ve taken...
That’s unfortunate. I always take them at home before I go, but the site I donate at has got a bottle at check-in for anyone who forgets. Also, as part of the intake they always ask if I’ve taken them. I’m really surprised they didn’t say anything to you.
Yeah I have signed up for Sunday as I'm O- and they offered *extra" on top of the gift card for August for me. (And I don't care about the movie tickets.)
Got my appointment scheduled for the eighth, a few days ago. I'm being a little less frequent this year, based on feedback from my doctor on iron levels, but I usually am in fairly often.
Is this about the contaminated salad thing? I hear a lot of "jokes" from my american friends.
Probably. One of my coworkers got caught by it.
But sick people cancel their donations, so do people who are dehydrated or feel like it's too hot to go out and donate.
Thanks for the heads-up, I've scheduled for a "power red" donation of my O+ on Monday!
Fuck that went bad, we had to stop midway. I nearly had the most intense seizure of my life due to hypocalcemia from the citrate administered in the return. They had no idea what happened, I had to piece it together much later once my head started clearing up. My head is still hazy today but I don't think the consent forms properly warned me of that risk, their site guidelines don't note the seizure risk from what I could find. He said they still got a usable unit, though I'm not sure if he was just trying to comfort me.
So yeah, if you have a seizure risk, beware the apharesis donations. I'll be sticking to whole blood from now on.
I’ve never heard of that and I’m sorry it went so poorly for you.
I’m also O+ and when I donated I would always decline the double red option. It exists for people that won’t be able to go often. You need to wait 8 weeks after a normal donation and 16 after double red. I just went every 8 weeks and they’d get whole blood not just red blood cells. I could also notice intense cardio was harder after donating a single unit of RBC. It would be more than 2x worse with a double.
So sorry it went badly for you, but I’m glad you’re okay.
Did they have you eat Tums beforehand? They have me do it each time I donate platelets.
Thanks.
They did not, I do recall a note on the form referencing calcium tablets, but no offers or mentions of it by staff. I wonder how effective it would've been.
That’s unfortunate. I always take them at home before I go, but the site I donate at has got a bottle at check-in for anyone who forgets. Also, as part of the intake they always ask if I’ve taken them. I’m really surprised they didn’t say anything to you.