'Emergency blood shortage': Red Cross warns of increased demand and drop in donations

The American Red Cross declared an "emergency blood shortage," warning of increased demand coupled with a drop in donations.

Demand is typically high during the summer trauma season, a period of typically higher-than-average traumatic injuries between Memorial Day in May and Labor Day in early September. This year has been in a league of its own, though; the Red Cross noted hospitals were asking for 3,500 more units of blood per week than usual.

The organization declared the emergency after the Red Cross discovered the national blood supply, which needs frequent replenishing, fell about 25% in June.

Two blood types — O-positive and B-negative — as well as AB-type plasma, were described by the Red Cross as especially in demand.

However, the Red Cross warned that "all blood types are needed." The groups most at risk during a blood shortage are trauma patients, mothers in childbirth and people with sickle cell anemia and cancer.

Dr. Courtney Lawrence, a division medical officer for the Red Cross, claimed emergency rooms and maternity wards are "paralyzed" without donations.

"We urge all those who may be eligible to give now to end this shortage," Lawrence wrote.