The American Red Cross has declared a “severe blood shortage” a month after the national blood supply fell by around 35%.
“This time of year is always challenging for blood collection — but right now, the perfect storm of a long holiday season, record flu activity and winter weather are all impeding donation efforts,” Dr. Courtney Lawrence, executive medical director for the Red Cross, said in a statement.
In December 2025, around 400 blood drives were impacted by winter weather, “leading to thousands of blood donations to go uncollected,” according to a news release shared by the Red Cross on Tuesday, Jan. 20.
Intense winter weather and the active flu season have contributed to the shortage.
Here’s what to know about the blood shortage.
Signs are posted at an intake area during an American Red Cross blood drive to help alleviate a blood supply shortage as a result of the coronavirus pandemic at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 27, 2020, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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What’s causing the blood supply shortage?
Blood drives typically face challenges during this time of year; however, frigid weather and holidays created a “perfect storm,” which continues to hamper the collection of blood donations, according to Lawrence.
The highly active flu season could be contributing to the shortage, according to the Red Cross. Donors could be sidelined by the flu, effectively slowing hospitals’ ability to replenish their blood inventories.
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Around 400 blood drives were affected by winter weather in December, three times the normal number, the Red Cross said, adding that the frigid conditions attributed to thousands of blood donations going uncollected.
Winter storms are also expected to impact future drives, as the inclement weather is expected to create hazardous travel conditions and shut down roads and schools this coming weekend, Jan. 24 and Jan. 25. More blood drives could potentially be delayed or canceled as the weather intensifies.
People register to donate blood at the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood blood bank in the aftermath of a mass shooting that targeted a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach on Sunday, in Sydney, Australia, December 16, 2025.
Who is being affected by the blood shortage?
The shortage is especially dire for blood types O, A- and B-, the Red Cross said.
If the trend continues, and no immediate action is taken, trauma victims, people in childbirth and people with sickle cell disease or cancer could face “serious risk,” according to the humanitarian network.
How can you donate blood?
People can donate blood by scheduling an appointment through the Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling the Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767.
“Every person’s blood donation can help save lives,” Lawrence said. “Plus, you help ease the tremendous burden on our doctors and nurses, allowing them to focus on caring for patients.”
Julia Gomez is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers scientific studies, natural disasters, and trending news. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Red Cross warns of ‘severe blood shortage’ ahead of winter storms
