- The American Red Cross declared a blood shortage emergency following a 25% drop in the nationwide blood supply.
- Platelets, type O positive and type B negative blood are most needed in the shortage.
- Utahns can donate blood and receive a free movie ticket in return through July.
According to the American Red Cross, “someone in the United States receives a blood transfusion every two seconds.” But, hospitals nationwide are relying on less blood supplies for these transfusions because of a donation shortage.
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In a press release Monday, the Red Cross declared an emergency blood shortage nationwide as the need for blood “continue(s) to outpace available blood supplies.”
Per the notice, “The Red Cross national blood supply has fallen 25% in the last month.”The organization points to busy schedules and travel plans as part of the reason for low blood donation in summer months.
Benjamin Donner, executive director of the American Red Cross over Central and Southern Utah, said the recent heatwaves and wildfires plaguing the state also contribute to the low donations and contrasting high need for blood. He said when the weather is hot, air quality is poor and disasters are happening, people are less inclined to leave their house for humanitarian efforts like donating blood. But, right now is when it’s needed most.
What’s needed nationwide
All blood types are needed, but platelets, O positive blood and B negative blood are in the highest demand, according to the Red Cross.
The release said platelets can only be used within five days of donation, giving them high priority.
AB positive blood is the universal platelet donor and anyone can use that type, but other types are also needed.
Of O positive blood, the announcement said most people with a positive blood type can receive it, “which includes more than 80% of the population.” Alternatively, “less than 2% of the population” have B negative, and patients with that type can only receive that same type, or O negative. The contrasting broadness of one and narrowness of the other make them equally needed across the nation.
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The shelf life of donated red blood cells is 42 days, “making a steady supply of volunteer donors essential,” per the release.
How to donate blood
Donner said 12 to 14 blood drives happen every day. It’s simple to download the Red Cross blood donor app, make an appointment and “be in and out in about an hour,” he said. Then, “you walk out of there knowing you did something good today.”
And “the icing on the cake,” according to Donner, is that after someone donates, they’ll get a notification from the app when their blood is used, and they’ll get to see what hospital — it could be in Utah, or it could be across the nation — it was used in.
People 18 and up can donate blood, and teenagers age 16 and 17 can donate with parental permission. One person can donate blood up to six times per year.
The benefits
To give back to donors, all Utahns who donate blood between July 13-31, 2026, “will receive a Fandango Movie Ticket by email, up to $15 ticket price and fees,” per the press release.
Another motivating factor is the feeling that comes from doing something good. “What better way to help someone else than to give a piece of ourselves?” Donner said.
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