The American Red Cross is seeking donors to give blood or platelets amid an emergency blood shortage.
ATLANTA — The American Red Cross has announced it is experiencing an emergency blood shortage and is seeking donors.
Since July 1, the Red Cross national blood supply has decreased by more than 25%, according to a press release. Donors of all blood types, especially type O, are asked to donate as soon as possible.
The shortage and call for more donors comes amid dangerous heat levels, which impacted almost 100 blood drives in July, the Red Cross says. The heat, as well as other obstacles like travel and summer activities, led to a shortage of more than 19,000 donations in July.
Despite the shortage, hospital demand remains strong and blood is being sent to hospitals faster than donations are being made, the release said. Type O inventory is so low that distributions of the vital blood type are …