Red Cross Faces Blood Supply Crisis

The American Red Cross is in desperate need of blood donors of all types to combat the lowest blood supply level they have seen in more than five years.

A sharp drop in donor turnout has resulted in the lowest post-summer blood inventory in years. The Red Cross says all blood types are needed in this emergency, but especially donors with Type O blood are urged to make an appointment to make a donation.

The national Red Cross blood inventory is the lowest it’s been at this time of year since 2015, with less than a day’s supply of certain blood types in recent weeks. The supply of types O positive and O negative blood, the most needed blood types by hospitals, dropped to less than a half-day supply at times over the last month.

The Red Cross adds those who come to give through September 30 will receive a limited-edition, football-inspired Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last, plus a free haircut coupon by email from Sport Clips Haircuts.

Those who come to donate in October will receive a link by email to claim a free Zaxby’s Signature Sandwich reward or get a $5 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice.

The First United Methodist Church of Kearney is hosting a blood drive on Thursday, October 7 from noon to 5:30 pm. You can make an appointment for this event and others in the Kearney area by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story