KC's blood supply is the lowest since COVID
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Patient donating blood at a Missouri CBC donation center. Photo by Markus Matzel/Getty Images
The blood supply serving Kansas City hospitals has fallen to its lowest level since the pandemic, part of a national shortage the Red Cross now calls a crisis.
Why it matters: A prolonged blood shortage could delay surgeries, trauma care and other treatments at the more than 70 hospitals that rely on the region's main supplier.
Driving the news: The American Red Cross declared a national blood supply crisis July 27, only the second in its history, saying it has "less than a one-day national supply of type O positive blood" and is limiting type O distribution to hospitals.
- Earlier this month, the Community Blood Center of Greater Kansas City (CBC) declared a blood emergency as the regional supply fell to a one- to two-day inventory, far below the seven-day supply hospitals need.
Zoom in: More than 20,000 people across the KC metro have stopped routinely donating over the past six years, shrinking the region's donor base by more than 20%, CBC said.
- When local supplies run out, the center tries to pull blood from other regions, which are now short too, CBC collections manager Cynthia Kerns told KSNT.
What they're saying: Vacations, prolonged extreme heat and disrupted donor routines — including from the World Cup — all decreased donations during what's already the worst season for giving blood, the CBC said in its declaration.
- "Inventories this low leave very little room for unexpected emergencies," CBC said in its declaration.
- The Red Cross says the shortage is especially serious for type O positive, type B negative and platelets.
Flashback: The only other national blood crisis came in January 2022, when COVID, winter storms and staffing challenges disrupted the nation's blood supply.
How to help: CBC takes appointments and walk-ins at donor centers across the metro, listed at savealifenow.org.
- Red Cross donors can book at RedCrossBlood.org or 1-800-RED-CROSS. Anyone who gives in August gets a $20 Amazon gift card.
Go deeper: A pro donor's guide to giving blood