Red Cross reports national blood crisis amid sharp drop in donations

The American Red Cross has declared a national blood crisis, citing a sharp drop in donations and critically low supplies, prompting restrictions on some blood distributions to hospitals.

Emily Miethner of Lido Beach knows firsthand how vital blood donations can be. After the birth of her son Noah nearly 2½ years ago, Miethner suffered two postpartum hemorrhages in the weeks following delivery and required 20 units of blood over multiple days.

"I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for those donors," Miethner said.

According to the Red Cross, current blood supplies have fallen to less than a day's worth of inventory.

"Instead of having six days of supply or five days of supply, we're down to less than a day of supply. So, it is really critical that we have donors come in," said Stephanie Dunn Ashley, CEO of the American Red Cross Metro NY North.

The organization said the crisis is only the second of its kind in its history. While summer often brings challenges for blood collection, the Red Cross said extreme heat, foodborne illnesses and unhealthy air quality have contributed to fewer donors giving blood this season.

As a result, the organization has limited certain distributions of Type O blood, known as the universal blood type, to hospitals. Officials said supplies of all blood types are running low, as are platelets, which are critical for cancer patients.

"We have to be very strategic about how much we give out because we just don't have it. Also, elective surgeries are being put on the back burner," Ashley said.

Miethner recently gave birth to her second child, a daughter named Phoebe. While her family is celebrating the arrival of the newborn, she said the experience has reinforced her appreciation for blood donors and the role they play in emergency care.

"When I was in the hospital, it was essentially the equivalent of replacing my entire body of blood twice," Miethner said.

Red Cross officials and patients who have benefited from donations are urging more people to donate blood as collections continue to decline.

"25 percent. We are down 25 percent in collection, which is a very big drop in collection," Ashley said.

The organization is reminding potential donors that giving blood is a simple process and that a single donation can help save up to three lives. For Miethner, blood donations were lifesaving and life changing as she begins motherhood again with her growing family.