The urgent need for blood

One year after the American Red Cross declared its first ever national blood crisis, hospitals are yet again sounding the alarm, reporting critical shortages in 2023.

Amid the continuous crisis, doctors have been forced to make difficult decisions about who receives immediate care. Blood is needed for everything from surgeries to traumatic injuries to cancer and sickle cell disease treatments. Statistically, very few people donate blood—only 3% of the population—yet every 2 seconds a person in the United States is in dire need of a transfusion.

Types 'O' negative & positive are in high demand. only 7% of the population are O negative. however, the need for o negative blood is highest because it is used most often during emergencies.

The need for ‘O’ positive is high because it is the most frequently OCCURRING blood type (37% of the population).

The American Red Cross asks the country to roll up a sleeve to help ensure people receive the care they need.

Make an appointment to give blood or platelets as soon as possible by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767)