EMERGENCY SHORTAGE: Donors urgently needed to stop alarming drop in Red Cross national blood supply Summer blood donations far lower than needed as hospitals work to protect patient care

MISSOULA, Mont., July 13, 2026 — The American Red Cross is declaring a national emergency blood shortage as blood supplies around the country fell nearly 25% in June. Blood donors are urgently needed to help ensure patients receive lifesaving medical care without delay. The shortage is especially serious for types O positive and B negative blood.

Nationwide, a steep decline in blood donations since the end of May has created a growing gap between supply and patient need. On top of that, busy schedules and the seasonal loss of school blood drives are driving the decline which could put patient...