Red Cross declares emergency blood shortage affecting US hospitals

The American Red Cross supplies about 40% of the country's blood, but its supply levels are reaching historic lows.

The American Red Cross is sounding the alarm over a severe blood shortage affecting hospitals across the U.S.

The nonprofit said Monday its number of blood donors has dropped about 40% over the last 20 years, and today, it's at its all-time lowest point in that time frame. 

Even just between Christmas and New Year's Day, a 7,000-unit shortfall in blood donations majorly disrupted the availability of blood products and the emergency plans for those who need them, causing surgery and transfusion delays. The Red Cross worries supply will face an even bleaker outlook as potentially hazardous weather and respiratory illnesses may keep donor turnout low just as hospitals need more blood.

"One of the most distressing situations for a doctor is to have a hospital full of patients and an empty refrigerator without any blood products," said Dr. Pampee Young, chief medical officer of the Red Cross.

The organization has been trying to avoid this situation for some time, telling the public in September that  the blood supply had fallen to "critically low levels" after declaring its first-ever blood crisis in 2022.