The American Red Cross has declared a national blood crisis for only the second time in its history, according to Fox News, saying it is down to just a two-day supply of blood for universal donors.
"This is really a call to action that we are now in a national blood crisis," the organization said, as the country's biggest blood supplier warned that it is running out of blood.
For only the second time in the organization's history, the Red Cross has had to declare a national emergency call for blood donors.
The group said it is approaching less than a two-day supply of Group O positive red blood cells, the type that can be given to the widest range of patients.
According to the Red Cross, supplies have fallen short of hospital needs, resulting in a shortfall of about 39,000.
In Los Angeles, several donors said they came in specifically because they had heard about the shortage. "I was super surprised to read that there was a shortage and wanted to do my small part to reduce the shortage," one donor said. "However I can help somebody else, I want to do that, because you never know. It may be you one day that might need some blood."
The Red Cross said that if just three more people showed up at each blood drive this summer, it would be able to stabilize the supply. The report was filed by Fox's Max Gordon in Los Angeles.