The American Red Cross has declared a national blood supply crisis for only the second time ever.
Blood donations hit a four-year summer low as extreme heat, poor air quality and widespread foodborne illnesses which are contributing to lower donor turnout.
The only other time the Red Cross declared such a crisis was January 2022.
In a news release, the organization a release that the blood supply is not keeping up with hospital demand. The Red Cross has less than a one-day national supply of type O positive blood.
O positive blood accounts for about 60% of Red Cross blood distributions. It is typically used for everyday patient care and medical emergencies.
To maintain a sufficient supply for patients facing life-threatening emergencies across the
country, the Red Cross has begun limiting distributions of type O blood to individual hospitals, according to the release.
Individuals with type O blood are specifically encouraged to donate as soon as possible, but the Red Cross still urges all eligible donors to make a contribution.
When hospitals have adequate supplies of A, B and AB blood, they can preserve the use of type O blood for life-threatening emergencies, or when there isn't time to determine a patient's blood type.
Where to donate near blood in Ohio
The American Red Cross Central & Southern Ohio Region has urged people to donate in social media posts.
To make an appointment to donate blood visit https://www.redcrossblood.org and input your zip code for nearby donation locations, or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit the Blood Donor App.
Anyone who gives blood July 31 will receive a Fandango Movie Ticket by email. Those who donate in the month of August will receive a $20 Amazon Gift Card by email.
The American Red Cross of the Central and Southern Ohio Region is also offering free tickets to Kings Island and Cedar Point at select upcoming blood drives through mid-August. The list of appliable locations and dates for this offer can be found at https://www.redcross.org/local/ohio/central-and-southern-ohio/about-us/news-and-events/events/cedar-fair-blood-drives.html.
Dispatch reporter Ella Diehl can be reached at ediehl@dispatch.com
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: The Red Cross says there's a blood supply crisis. Here's how to donate
