Jul 30, 2026 - News

Red Cross warns of critical blood shortage

Joe Guillen

A woman donates blood at an American Red Cross Blood Donation Center in Boston on July 14, 2026. — An American Red Cross blood donation center in Boston. Photo: Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

The U.S. blood supply has reached crisis levels, prompting the American Red Cross and the Surgeon General's Office to urge people to donate.

Why it matters: A prolonged blood shortage could delay surgeries, trauma care and other treatments that depend on timely blood transfusions.

The Red Cross says it has "less than a one-day national supply of type O positive blood," which is the most commonly transfused blood type. Due to the shortage, the organization is limiting distribution of type O blood to hospitals.

The big picture: Blood donations fell to a four-year summer low in 2026, the Red Cross said Monday.

Zoom in: The Michigan Red Cross says the shortage is affecting patients here just as it is across the country and is urging eligible donors of all blood types to make an appointment, with a particular need for type O blood.

How to help: Donors can schedule an appointment through the Red Cross Blood Donor App, at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS. People who can't donate can also volunteer.

One local opportunity: The Red Cross is hosting a blood drive at Little Caesars Arena's Via Concourse on Aug. 6 from 9:30am-7:30pm.

Donors will receive Tigers, Pistons and preseason Red Wings tickets, plus a $20 Amazon gift card. Free parking will be available at the Trinity Health Garage, 165 Sproat St.

From our friends at Axios Columbus: A pro donor's guide to giving blood

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Red Cross warns of critical blood shortage

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