--- title: "The United States Is Rapidly Running Out of Blood" description: "For only the second time in its history, the American Red Cross has declared a \"national blood supply crisis.\"" date: "2026-07-29" modified: "2026-07-29" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/health-medicine/united-states-running-out-blood-supply" categories: - "Developments" - "Health & Medicine" - "Medical" --- # The United States Is Rapidly Running Out of Blood ![A photo illustration of an empty blood bag.]() *Shutterstock / Futurism* For only the second time in its history, the American Red Cross has declared a "[national blood supply crisis]()," after donations fell to a four-year summer low. The hotter summer months conventionally trigger blood shortages because people are more likely to injure themselves while spending time outdoors. And this summer has been particularly extreme. According to the Red Cross, extreme heat, poor air quality, and widespread foodborne illnesses have compounded into blood donations dropping precipitously, causing supply levels to plummet to a historic low. The news comes amidst record-breaking temperatures this summer, devastating heatwaves that have [killed at least 25 people in the US](). Public health officials are also battling an outbreak of an explosive diarrhea-causing parasite that's [has spread to 45 states](). As a result of plummeting donations, the Red Cross, which is the largest single provider of blood products, has "less than a one-day national supply of type O positive blood." Type O positive is the most commonly transfused blood type, because can safely be used to treat over 80 percent of the population. The Red Cross declared its first-ever national blood crisis in January 2022, triggered by a previous low in donor turnout due to ongoing COVID-19 surge disruptions. "Every donation has the potential to help save lives, and we urgently need everyone who is eligible to make an appointment to give blood as soon as possible," said Red Cross Biomedical Services president Chris Hrouda in a statement. The risks of an extremely limited blood supply are considerable. "There’s always the possibility, when the blood supply dips like it has, that patients won’t be able to get the blood products they need, when they need," Red Cross spokesperson Matt Trotter [told *NPR* affiliate *KOSU*](). By mid-July, the Red Cross [was already ringing the alarm bells](), warning that donations had fallen by about 25 percent in June. To get back on track doesn't require drastic action, either. The organization says that just "three more donors at each blood drive this summer can end this crisis and stabilize the blood supply." "One donation can help save multiple lives, so if you’ve got an hour you can spare, you can do a lot of good with it," Trotter told *KOSU*. "Many people who think they are ineligible actually can donate blood." If you or a loved one wants to donate blood, [this site run by the Red Cross]() can help find a blood drive nearby. *Updated to correctly identify blood types.* **More on blood:** [*Immortality-Obsessed Tech Guy Trying New Technique That Involves Removing "All Blood From Body"*]() ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()