The American Red Cross declares a national blood supply crisis for the second time in its 150-year history, saying inventories have fallen about 25% in the last month and type O positive is below a one-day national supply.Extreme heat, wildfires, poor air quality and an outbreak of cyclosporiasis have cut donor turnout while summer demand rises; the Red Cross, which provides about 40% of US blood, is distributing roughly 3,500 more units than usual but is drawing deeply from perishable stocks that expire within 42 days.The agency warns hospitals may delay surgeries or divert trauma patients, urges all eligible donors—particularly people with type O blood—to donate immediately, and says
Canadian Blood Services reports a nearly 20% decline in donations since early June.