All articles tagged with #blood supply
The American Red Cross has declared a national blood crisis for the second time in its history, with dangerously low inventories of blood and platelets—especially type O-positive—forcing limited distributions and prompting an urgent appeal for all eligible Americans to donate as soon as possible amid summer demand and turnout challenges.
The American Red Cross has declared a nationwide emergency blood shortage, with a 20-year low in donors and a loss of 300,000 donors since the COVID-19 pandemic. The shortage could lead to hospitals making difficult decisions about prioritizing patients for blood transfusions, potentially impacting surgeries and patient care. The organization is urging people to donate, particularly Type O blood and platelets needed for cancer and trauma patients, and individuals interested in donating can schedule an appointment at RedCrossBlood.org.
Babesiosis, a tickborne disease, has become significantly more prevalent in the Northeast in recent years, with case rates growing the fastest in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Reported cases of babesiosis have increased in all but two of the 10 states where it is endemic. The disease is transmissible through blood transfusion, posing risks to the blood supply. Symptoms include fever, muscle and joint pain, and headache. The CDC recommends tick bite prevention for those spending time outdoors in states with endemic babesiosis.