The American Red Cross is declaring an emergency blood shortage as the blood supply fell nearly 25% in June.

Blood donors are urgently needed to give now to help ensure patients receive lifesaving medical care without delay, the Red Cross said. The shortage is reported to be especially serious for types O positive and B negative blood.
 
“A steep decline in blood donations since the end of May has created a growing gap between supply and patient need,” Red Cross officials said.

Currently, Red Cross distributions to hospitals are nearly 3,500 units higher per week than expected at a time when hospitals often see higher demand for blood products during the height of trauma season, according to reports.”

To help end the blood shortage, donors cn book an appointment to using the Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-733-2767.

As a thank-you, all who come to give July 13-31, will receive a Fandango Movie Ticket by email (up to $15 ticket price and fees). Additional details can be found at RedCrossBlood.org/July.

Upcoming local blood donation opportunities in Santa Barbara County will be July 13-31.
 
Montecito
July 16: 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at Rosewood Miramar Beach, 1759 S. Jameson Lane.
 
Santa Barbara
July 27: noon-6 p.m. at American Red Cross, 2707 State St.

A recent Red Cross survey revealed a significant gap between public perception and the reality of the nation’s blood supply:
• Fewer than 1 in 5 respondents understood that blood cannot be stockpiled because it has a limited shelf life and must be continually replenished through volunteer donors.
• Only about half believed it was very likely they or someone close to them would need blood one day, even though someone in the U.S. receives a blood transfusion every two seconds.

“A readily available blood supply serves as the backbone of modern medicine. Without it, lifesaving treatments and critical access points to care are not possible,” said Dr. Courtney Lawrence, medical director for the Red Cross.

“Emergency departments, operating rooms, and labor and delivery units can’t support patients with the most urgent needs, and cancer patients must wait. We’re asking donors to give now before doctors are forced to make those difficult decisions,” Dr. Lawrence said.