PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — For the second time in the organization’s history, the American Red Cross has declared a national blood supply crisis.
The supply of type O-positive blood has dropped below a one-day supply and hospitals are feeling the pain. “A readily available blood and platelet supply is the backbone of modern medicine,” said Jennifer Graham, CEO of American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania.
“Blood is needed every two seconds for trauma, cancer treatment, surgeries and other medical emergencies. So if it’s not available, surgeries may be delayed, cancer treatment is postponed and emergency care strained.”
There is a drop in donations every summer as people go on vacation and shake up the typical routine, but the Red Cross said extreme heat and poor air quality have made matters worse and brought the blood supply to crisis level.
According to the organization, the national blood supply fell nearly 25% last month and overall donations are at a four-year summer low. Graham suggested registering a few more people at each blood drive could turn things around.
“Just three more donors at every blood drive this summer can end this crisis,” she said, “and stabilize the blood supply.”
