The American Red Cross declared an emergency blood shortage Monday after the nation’s blood supply fell nearly 25% in June, and the organization is calling on Atlanta-area residents to book donation appointments now to help hospitals keep pace with patient care.
Red Cross officials said hospital distributions are running about 3,500 units above expected levels each week, even as trauma cases typically climb during the summer. The shortage is most acute for platelets and for type O positive and B negative blood.
The drop follows a familiar seasonal pattern where summer travel and busy schedules tend to pull down donor turnout, and high schools and colleges, which host a large share of blood drives during the school year, are out of session. Those factors have widened the gap between supply and patient need since late May.
To help, the Red Cross is urging donors to schedule appointments through its Blood Donor App, at RedCrossBlood.org, or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Anyone who donates between July 13 and July 31 will receive a Fandango movie ticket by email, worth up to $15
More details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/July.
