People enter the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood blood bank, after blood donations surged according to the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, in the aftermath of a mass shooting that targeted a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach on Sunday, in Sydney, Australia, December 16, 2025. REUTERS/Hollie Adams
(Washington, DC) – The American Red Cross has declared a severe blood shortage in the United States. When supplies are low, like this, it can negatively affect the ability to treat those who may need blood for some treatments like chemotherapy patients with underlying blood disorders.
The humanitarian organization is calling on people to donate as it says the demand from hospitals has outpaced the available supply of blood.
The divisional chief medical officer at American Red Cross pointed to inclement winter weather leading to canceled blood drives and a moderately severe flu season as reasons donations are down.
