U.S. blood banks warn they have less than a 1-day supply of blood on hand, need donations

(Image credit: Valerie Macon/AFP/Getty Images)

published 7 July 2021

The American Association of Blood Banks says the U.S. blood supply has dropped to "red" level, signifying that most blood banks has less than a one-day supply and donations are urgently needed. Blood banks are prepared when they have three days worth of blood supply on hand, Dr. Claudia Cohn, AABB's chief medical officer, tells USA Today. "This is the worst shortage I've experienced since I've been in this in this line of work," or 15 years.

The blood shortage is a combination of fewer blood drives during the COVID-19 pandemic, a return of elective surgeries as the pandemic wanes and vaccination rates rise, and an increase in demand during the seasonal increase in auto accidents, Cohn said. "A blood donation takes 60 minutes to an hour and a half, and each time they do that they're saving a life."

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.

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