{"id":6173,"date":"2026-06-09T17:31:45","date_gmt":"2026-06-09T17:31:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sandiegorelocationnews.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/09\/alarming-drop-in-red-cross-blood-donations-spurs-plea-for-donors-what-to-know\/"},"modified":"2026-06-09T17:31:45","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T17:31:45","slug":"alarming-drop-in-red-cross-blood-donations-spurs-plea-for-donors-what-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sandiegorelocationnews.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/09\/alarming-drop-in-red-cross-blood-donations-spurs-plea-for-donors-what-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Alarming\u2019 drop in Red Cross blood donations spurs plea for donors. What to know"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The American Red Cross has issued an urgent plea for blood and platelet donors after an \u201calarming\u201d drop in donations ahead of the busy summer season.<\/p>\n

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\u201cDonors of all blood types are essential in keeping the blood supply strong enough to withstand summer challenges,\u201d the organization said in a May 28 news release.<\/p>\n

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Scheduled donations, which account for 90% of all blood donations, have dropped sharply in recent weeks, the Red Cross said.<\/p>\n

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The decline is \u201cespecially troubling\u201d because blood collection can already be difficult with end-of-school activities, travel and school breaks, the Red Cross said.<\/p>\n

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\u201cAs a result, the blood supply has fallen by several thousand units in just a week, raising concerns that the decline could worsen as we enter trauma season,\u201d the agency said.<\/p>\n

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Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, severe injuries from car crashes, ATV wrecks, sports-related injuries and other summer activities skyrocket.<\/p>\n

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\u201cEvery minute matters,\u201d said Dr. Emily Coberly, medical director for the Red Cross, in the release. \u201dFor each minute that passes without blood transfusion, the risk of death increases by 11% for patients suffering from hemorrhagic shock. That\u2019s why having a readily available blood supply is critical.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The organization urged potential donors to schedule an appointment by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.<\/p>\n

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Donors who come in through June 28 receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of choice, plus be automatically entered for a chance to win one of two $7,500 gift cards.<\/p>\n

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Who can donate blood?<\/h2>\n

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Here\u2019s what you need to know in order to donate blood:<\/p>\n

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