Red Cross warns of severe blood shortage as supply drops 35%; donors urged to give now
NEW JERSEY — The American Red Cross says it is facing a severe blood shortage after hospital requests outpaced available supplies, resulting in about a 35% drawdown of blood products over the past month.
The organization urged people to donate blood and platelets “so patients don’t face delays in lifesaving care,” calling the shortage especially serious for platelets and for type O, A negative and B negative blood.
The Red Cross said high flu activity in nearly every state may be keeping donors from giving and slowing efforts to rebuild the national supply. At the same time, it said hospitals dealing with “the worst flu season in nearly 20 years” are also being forced to triage critical blood products.
Without immediate action, the Red Cross warned that patients who rely on transfusions — including trauma victims, mothers in childbirth and people with sickle cell disease or cancer — could face increased risk.
The Red Cross urged donors to book appointments through the Blood Donor App, its website or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
The organization also announced donation incentives tied to upcoming dates. Those who donate through Jan. 25, 2026, will be automatically entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LX in the San Francisco Bay Area, including game tickets, access to pregame activities, tickets to the official Super Bowl Experience, airfare, a three-night hotel stay from Feb. 6-9, 2026, and a $1,000 gift card for expenses, the Red Cross said. Donors who give from Jan. 26 through Feb. 28, 2026, will receive a $20 e-gift card to a merchant of choice, it said.
The Red Cross said winter storms have compounded the shortfall. About 400 blood drives were impacted by extreme winter weather last month alone — more than three times the number affected during the same time the previous year — leaving thousands of donations uncollected, the organization said. With more intense weather and freezing temperatures expected in coming weeks, additional drives could be delayed or canceled when “every unit of blood could be the difference” for doctors weighing transfusion needs, the Red Cross said.
“Winter always puts pressure on the blood supply, and this year widespread flu and rough weather are making it even tougher,” said Paul Sullivan, senior vice president of Red Cross donor services. “If you’re able, now’s a great time to make and keep blood donation appointments, during National Blood Donor Month. Every donation can be a lifeline for a patient who isn’t able to hold off on critical care.”
