Red Cross declares crisis over blood supply shortage in US for second time its history

Red Cross declares crisis over blood supply shortage in US for second time its historyImage source, Getty ImagesByAna FaguyPublished28 minutes agoA 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.Factors including wildfires and extreme heat have combined to create the current situation, Dr Courtney Lawrence, who works with the American Red Cross, told the BBC. Supply levels dropped by a quarter just last month. The crisis has struck during summer, when the amount of blood needed by hospitals typically increases.That is because of an increased number of car accidents and more people spending time outdoors, resulting in more injuries that require blood transfusions, Lawrence said.The American Red Cross - which is the largest single blood supplier in the US, providing about 40% - is currently distributing about 3,500 more units than normal during this time of year, according to Lawrence, who added that the organisation is having to dip "very, very low into our blood inventory"."We don't have the ability to stockpile blood super far in advance because blood does have a finite shelf life, it does expire," she said.Donated blood has to be used within 42 days because blood cells degrade over time.To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be playedFigure caption, July 2025: Boy runs 5km for 25 days to inspire plasma donorsSupplies of every blood type are currently needed, but especially O positive, which is considered a universal blood type and can be given to people in an emergency when theirs is unknown.Lawrence said hospitals they have spoken to believe the crisis could have some impact on routine operations and some have considered "whether they may need to divert patients to other trauma centres if they cannot keep enough blood on their shelves to be a...