The American Red Cross declared an emergency national blood shortage after the blood supply fell nearly 25% in June, driven by summer travel schedules and the loss of school blood drives. Hospital distributions have outpaced donations by about 3,500 units per week, creating an urgent need for all blood types—especially O positive, B negative, and AB plasma.
Current Shortage Facts
- Supply Drop: Down nearly 25% nationally since the end of May.
- Increased Demand: Hospital requests are roughly 3,500 units higher per week than anticipated.
- Critical Types: Highest demand is for O positive, B negative, and AB plasma, though all types are urgently needed.
- Summer Factors: Seasonal school breaks, vacations, and summer trauma injuries strain inventories.
How to Help
- Schedule a Donation: Eligible individuals can find local drives and book a time slot through the American Red Cross or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
- Perks: Donors giving through July 31 receive a $15 Fandango movie ticket voucher.
Those who donated and when:
KF5FUZ on 07/14/2026 (Power Red, they take two donations but give you some of the plasma back, counts as 2 pints.)- N4DDM on 07/24/2026
- KA5BJG on 07/26/2026
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I’ve had 2-3 folks ask about the blood drive, and some suggested listing those who donated. For the next 90-days I’ll add folks to the article; just email me your call sign and the date you donated.
The XYL – KE5MHL – has donated pretty regularly; she’s now a member of the 9 Gallon club. I would have kept donating, but there was a positive test which came back back when I had about 8 -1/4 gallons donated. I could contest it; but I felt it was probably more work than I wanted to deal with. Still, she has a very valuable type – O Neg – so they LOVE her blood!