The American Red Cross has announced that blood supplies have reached a crisis level for only the second time in 150 years due to wildfires, extreme heat, and other factors affecting the US. Dr. Courtney Lawrence of the American Red Cross revealed that blood reserves have dropped by 25 percent in the past month while daily blood distribution has increased by more than 3,500 units. In Canada, blood supplies have also declined by 20 percent since June, with a significant decrease in donors raising concerns over impacts on urgent medical care services.
The shortage of blood in the US is becoming increasingly severe. The American Red Cross declared blood supplies to be at a ‘crisis’ level for only the second time in its 150-year history. According to BBC, Dr. Courtney Lawrence cited wildfires, extreme heat, and several other causes as responsible for the disruption in blood collection. She noted that blood reserves have decreased by approximately 25 percent over the last month. This shortage has emerged during the summer season when hospitals experience a higher-than-normal demand for blood.
The American Red Cross, which supplies about 40 percent of the required blood nationwide, is currently distributing roughly 3,500 more units of blood daily than under normal conditions. This has driven blood supplies down to critically low levels. Dr. Lawrence explained that blood cannot be stored for long; donated blood must be used within 42 days because the quality of blood cells deteriorates over time.
While all blood types are needed, there is a particular shortage of the ‘O positive’ blood group. Since O positive blood can be used in emergency situations when the patient’s blood type is unknown, demand for this group remains especially high. Hospitals have expressed concern that the shortage could affect regular surgeries and other medical treatments. The Red Cross also reported that due to extreme heat, people have hesitated to visit blood donation centers.
