Red Cross Facing Severe Blood Shortage

The Red Cross is facing a severe blood shortage due to increasing hospital demands.

The Red Cross said the number of trauma cases, organ transplants and elective surgeries has gone up, which is depleting the nation's blood inventory.

Over the past three months, the Red Cross said it's distributed about 75,000 more blood products than expected. It said the demand in trauma centers has jumped 10% in 2021 compared to 2019.

The Red Cross said there is also a greater need in hospitals because those who deferred care at the height of the pandemic now have more advanced disease progression and require more blood transfusions.

There is such a low supply, the Red Cross said some hospitals are being forced to slow the pace of elective surgeries until the blood supply stabilizes.

The Red Cross is in need of donors of all types, but especially Type O.

You can donate blood at the Tulsa Blood Donation Center at 11th and Highway 169.

Tulsa healthcare leaders are holding a news conference Tuesday morning where News On 6 expects to learn more about the impact the blood shortage is having here in Green Country.