07/17/2026
On July 13, the Red Cross put out an urgent call: our national blood supply plummeted by nearly 25% in June alone.
While it has been incredibly inspiring to see thousands of people step up over the last couple of days, the reality is that the supply isn't rebuilding fast enough to keep pace with hospital demand. The situation has officially escalated. Right now, inventories for the most critical blood types-especially Type O-are only days away from reaching crisis levels.
Behind these numbers are real patients-parents, children, and neighbors-whose lives depend on these transfusions. Our healthcare partners need us, and more importantly, their patients need us.
If you are able, please join me in rolling up your sleeves and scheduling a donation in the coming days. Every single unit makes a massive difference.
ππΌ Find a drive near you and book your spot at RedCrossBlood.org.
American Red Cross of Illinois
Blood donors report feeling a sense of great satisfaction after making their blood donation. Why? Because helping others in need just feels good. Donate blood today to help those in need.