The American Red Cross is worried it may face a significant blood shortage heading into summer, Tucson, Ariz.-based ABC affiliate KGUN-TV reported May 6.
As the pandemic wanes and more Americans are getting elective surgeries, the demand for blood is increasing. The American Red Cross says this is happening during an inopportune time, as blood donations usually start to drop off as summer begins.
American Red Cross Medical Director David Mair, MD, said the organization wants "everybody to come out and donate whether you have been a convalescent plasma donor or somebody who has recently been vaccinated or just somebody that wants to help others."