HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — The Red Cross has declared a nationwide emergency blood shortage after the blood supply dropped neaerly 25% i nJune, prompting an urgent call for donors across North Alabama and the country.
The organization said blood donations have declined since the end of May, while hospitals are using about 3,500 more units of blood each week than expected during the busy summer trauma season. The shortage is especially critical for platelet donations as well as O-positive and B-negative blood types.
“A readily available blood supply serves as the backbone of modern medicine. Without it, lifesaving treatments and critical access points to care are not possible,” said Dr. Courtney Lawrence, medical director for the Red Cross. “Emergency departments, operating rooms, and labor and delivery units can’t support patients with the most urgent needs, and cancer patients must wait. We’re asking donors to give now before doctors are forced to make those difficult decisions.”…