Red Cross sounds national alarm as blood donations slip toward crisis

The American Red Cross has declared the second national blood supply crisis in its history after donations plummeted to a four-year summer low, leaving less than a one-day national supply of Type O blood and risking surgeries and maternity care; donors are urged to give immediately, with July movie-ticket vouchers and August $20 Amazon gift cards as incentives, while hospitals pre-schedule needs to stabilize distribution.