Red Cross Declares 2nd-Ever Blood Crisis as 47% of New Hampshire Appointments Go Unfilled
Updated
Updated · WMUR Manchester · Aug 3
Red Cross Declares 2nd-Ever Blood Crisis as 47% of New Hampshire Appointments Go Unfilled
3 articles · Updated · WMUR Manchester · Aug 3
Summary
47% of Red Cross blood donation appointments in New Hampshire over the next two weeks are still unfilled, prompting the agency to issue only its second-ever blood crisis.
Donations have dropped to a four-year summer low, with blood leaving for hospitals faster than new units are coming in, according to the Red Cross.
Type O blood is in especially short supply because it is often used in trauma cases before a patient's blood type can be identified.
Blood lasts about 35 days in storage, and New Hampshire ambulances do not routinely carry it because of its limited shelf life, high value and low on-board usage.
The Red Cross is urging eligible donors to book appointments now through mid-August drives scheduled across New Hampshire.