Red Cross Declares Second-Ever National Blood Crisis, Urges Golden Strip Donors to Give Now
July 29, 2026
The American Red Cross has declared a national blood supply crisis, only the second such declaration in the organization’s 145-year history, and is urging eligible donors in Fountain Inn, Simpsonville and Mauldin to make appointments immediately.
The declaration, announced July 27, follows a drop in donations to a four-year summer low. The national blood supply fell nearly 25% in June, and the Red Cross now holds less than a one-day national supply of type O positive blood, the most commonly transfused blood type.
To protect availability for the most critical emergencies, the Red Cross has begun limiting distributions of type O blood to individual hospitals. Officials said some patients may already be waiting for blood they need.
The only previous national blood crisis was declared in January 2022.
The Golden Strip is served by the Upstate SC Chapter of the American Red Cross, which covers Greenville County along with Abbeville, Anderson, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg and Union counties.
Summer routinely strains the blood supply. The period between Memorial Day and Labor Day, known as trauma season, brings an increase in traumatic injuries requiring transfusion at the same time donations decline. Red Cross officials said extreme heat, poor air quality and widespread foodborne illnesses have further reduced donor turnout this summer.
Chris Hrouda, president of Red Cross Biomedical Services, said additional safeguards were put in place after the 2022 crisis, but that donations this summer are not keeping pace with hospital demand. “Every donation has the potential to help save lives,” Hrouda said.
The Red Cross supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood and hosts roughly 500 blood drives a day. According to the organization, just three additional donors at each blood drive this summer would stabilize the supply.
Type O blood accounts for about 60% of Red Cross blood distributions. Type O positive can be safely transfused to about 80% of patients, and type O negative is the universal type relied on in emergencies when there is no time to determine a patient’s blood type. All blood types are needed, however. When hospitals have adequate supplies of A, B and AB blood, type O can be preserved for the patients who need it most.
Blood cannot be manufactured or stockpiled, which is why the need is constant.
Donors who give by July 31 will receive a Fandango movie ticket by email, valued at up to $15 including fees. Those who donate Aug. 1 through Aug. 31 will receive a $20 Amazon gift card by email. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org.
Individuals who are 17 years old, or 16 with parental consent where state law allows, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate. Donors 18 and younger must also meet height and weight requirements. A blood donor card, driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in.
Appointments can be scheduled through the Red Cross Blood Donor App, at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Churches, businesses, schools and civic groups interested in hosting a blood drive can apply at RedCrossBlood.org.
To find upcoming blood drives close to home, visit RedCrossBlood.org, click “Find a Blood Drive” and enter a ZIP code. Searching 29644 for Fountain Inn, 29681 for Simpsonville or 29662 for Mauldin will bring up drives across the Golden Strip and the surrounding area.
