Red Cross Blames Climate Disasters For 'Critically Low' Blood Supply

The American Red Cross’ national blood supply has dropped to critically low levels, the organization said Monday, with back-to-back climate disasters and summer activities being blamed for a recent decline in donations.

The organization’s blood supply, which is said to make up roughly 40% of the nation’s overall blood supply, has fallen by nearly 25% since last month. Blood product distributions to hospitals currently outpace the number of blood donations coming in, the Red Cross said.

Hurricane Idalia, which ripped through the southeastern U.S. late last month initially as a Category 3 storm, resulted in more than 700 units of blood and platelets going uncollected. The busy summer travel season and back-to-school activities also contributed to a 30,000 donation shortfall last month, the organization said.