The Red Cross is putting out an urgent call for more blood donations as of August 5, 2024.
© John Oliva/Caller-Times / © Nick Betson / USA TODAY NETWORK
(Bismarck, ND) – Experts say there are a trio of factors at play with the US facing a brutal shortage of donated blood. For one thing, the summer time always puts a strain on blood resources. More people are out and about, taking part in activities like motorbiking and cycling. Just the fact that people are taking more vacations and hitting the road more often means more crashes. Those kinds of trauma incidents at medical centers require and outsized amount of blood.
Also, amid summer temperatures, high heat and elevated temperatures put a strain on blood supplies — experts say. Ditto for natural disasters like major storms and other accidents. Taken together, those factors have led a 25-percent decline in the nation’s blood supply since July 1. The Red Cross is hoping to incentivize more people to donate blood — anyone who does so this month is in line for a $20 Amazon gift card. More information on that program — and blood donation in general — is available at Red Cross Blood.org/help.
Meanwhile, last month’s Comic-Con led to 1,400 donated punts of blood. The San Diego Blood Bank set up a donation center there at the event on July 26. People who donated received a limited-edition Marvel Deadpool & Wolverine t-shirt.
