American Red Cross declares national blood shortage due to natural disasters like Hurricane Idalia

UNITED STATES – The American Red Cross stated Monday that national blood supply levels have fallen to critically low.

The organization released a statement that claims worsening climate-driven disasters has strained the blood supply.

Since early August, the national blood supply has dropped nearly 25%.

These back-to-back disasters have resulted in blood drive cancelations and reduced donor turnout. The Red Cross was short of 30,000 donations just last month alone.

The organization explains that blood product distributions to hospitals are exceeding the number of blood donations.

Back-to-school activites, one of the busiest travel seasons on record and an already active hurricane season, are all factors in the shortage.

Specifically mentioning the impacts of Hurricane Idalia, the release states more than 700 units of blood and platelets were uncollected.

A Facebook post from the Red Cross asks blood donors of all types to urgently help patients with critical conditions such as cancer, sickle cell disease and those who depend on lifesaving blood transfusions.