What Does Emergency Blood Shortage Mean

Emergency Blood Shortage: What Does It Mean and What’s the Impact?

Right now, the American Red Cross urges people to donate lifesaving blood to help overcome an emergency blood shortage – a situation so dire that the Red Cross national blood supply dropped by more than 25% since July 1. It can be tricky to understand what an emergency blood shortage means or if there may be alternatives to blood transfusion that could be pursued, but the truth is that, without more blood donations, this emergency blood shortage will only get worse.

Because most transfusion prescriptions are for patients with relatively severe anemia, a blood shortage leaves doctors with no easy choices for withholding transfusion. Instead, they often face the very real possibility that a patient could suffer due to a delayed transfusion. Blood and blood products cannot be manufactured; it is only through the generosity of donors that patients can get the care they need and deserve.

Dr. Eric Gehrie, executive medical director for the Red Cross, offers an in-depth explanation of just how important blood donors are, especially in trying times like an emergency blood shortage. See what he has to say, read “Blood Shortages Leave Doctors with No Acceptable Options — Only Solution Is More Blood Donors”.

Schedule your next appointment to give blood by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App.