Red Cross Declares Emergency Blood Shortage Amid Record Decline in Donors

The organization, which supplies about 40% of the nation's blood, is grappling with a 20-year low in donations, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The American Red Cross has declared an emergency blood shortage, citing a record decline in blood donors and a 20-year low in blood donations.
Hospitals are currently receiving blood products faster than donations are coming in, leading to a limitation in distributions of some of the most transfused blood types.
The shortage has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to a reduction of 300,000 blood donors.
The Red Cross is partnering with the National Football League to offer incentives to donors, including a chance to win two tickets to Super Bowl LVIII.
The Red Cross urgently needs all types of blood donations, particularly Type O and platelets, which are required for cancer and trauma patients.