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Red Cross declares blood crisis, urges donations as nearly half of NH appointments sit empty
WMUR • • business
Key Points:
- The Red Cross has declared its second-ever blood crisis due to a severe shortage in the nation's blood supply, with New Hampshire showing 47% of upcoming donation appointments unfilled over the next two weeks.
- Blood donations have dropped to a four-year summer low, with demand outpacing supply as hospitals use blood faster than it is donated; Type O blood is especially needed for trauma cases.
- American Medical Response highlights the critical importance of blood for both trauma and routine surgical procedures, noting ambulances do not carry blood due to its short shelf life and high value.
- The Red Cross urges eligible donors to make appointments at RedCrossBlood.org and has scheduled multiple blood drives across New Hampshire counties throughout early to mid-August to address the shortage.
- Blood donation events are planned statewide in locations including Belknap, Carroll, Cheshire, Coos, Grafton, Hillsborough, Merrimack, Rockingham, Strafford, and Sullivan counties, providing numerous opportunities for donors to help replenish the blood supply.
