Red Cross declares 'blood crisis' as supplies drop low enough to cause some rationing

For only the second time in its long history, the American Red Cross has declared a blood crisis. That means that its supplies of blood, plasma and platelets fell by more than 25%, a level that could begin to cause delays in surgeries and other blood-using procedures that are not urgent.

The agency, which supplies 40% of all the blood products used in the United States, is making a special appeal for people to visit a blood donation event.

“While people have been incredibly generous about stepping up to donate, it's not keeping pace with the need,” said Abigail Adams, a spokesperson for the Red Cross.

Summer is normally the season of highest need for blood because of an increase in accidents and the season of lowest donation as people take vacations. Extreme heat events and air quality alerts from Canadian wildfire smoke may be keeping more people home than usual.

Type O blood is in especially short supply, with the Red Cross having less than a one-day supply. Some rationing of blood supplies has already begun, Adams said.

“If we have just three more donors at each blood drive this summer, we can end the crisis and stabilize the blood supply,” she said.

How to Donate

Book an appointment to give blood now by using the Blood Donor App, visiting the American Red Cross donation portal, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

As a thank-you, all who come to give by July 31 will receive a Fandango movie ticket by email (up to $15 ticket price and fees). Details are available on the Red Cross July donor promotion page.

Additionally, those who come to give Aug. 1–31, 2026, will receive a $20 Amazon gift card by email. For full details, visit the Red Cross August donor promotion page.

Upcoming Donation Opportunities (July 27–Aug. 15)

Herkimer County

• Dolgeville: Aug. 11, 1 to 6 p.m. — Dolgeville Fire Department, 20 South Helmer Ave.
• Little Falls: Aug. 3, 1 to 5 p.m. — Little Falls Elks Lodge, 2 W. Gansevoort St.
• Mohawk: Aug. 4, 12:30 to 5 p.m. — Mohawk American Legion Post 25, 43 West Main St.

Madison County

• Canastota: Aug. 6, 1 to 6 p.m. — Charles Miller American Legion, 325 S. Peterboro St.
• Cazenovia: Aug. 6, 1 to 6 p.m. — Cazenovia American Legion, 26 Chenango St.
• Chittenango: Aug. 4, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. — Chittenango Parks and Rec Bldg., 707 Legion Drive
• Hamilton: Aug. 5, 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. — Hamilton Public Library, 13 Broad St.

Oneida County

• Boonville: Aug. 7, 1 to 6 p.m. — Harland J. Hennessey Veterans of Foreign Wars, 108 Park Ave.
• Camden: Aug. 3, 1 to 6 p.m. — St. John the Evangelist Church, 35 3rd St.
• Chadwicks: Aug. 13, 1 to 5 p.m. — Willowvale Fire Department, 3459 Oneida St.
• Lee Center: Aug. 14, noon to 5 p.m. — Lee Center Community, 5808 Stokes Lee Center Rd.
• New Hartford: Aug. 5, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — GPO Federal Credit Union, 4311 Middle Settlement Rd.
• Rome:
  
  • July 27, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. — Rome Health, 1500 North James St.
  • Aug. 7, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Zion Episcopal Church Rome, 140 W. Liberty St.
  • Aug. 10, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. — St. Paul’s Church, 1807 Bedford St.
• Sauquoit: July 28, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. — Sauquoit Valley High School, 2601 Oneida St.
• Utica: Aug. 13, 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. — Holiday Inn Express, 23 Wells Ave.
• Westmoreland: Aug. 13, noon to 4:30 p.m. — Westmoreland Fire Department, 100 Station Rd.

Onondaga County

• Baldwinsville: July 29, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. — Baldwinsville Public Library, 33 East Genesee St.
• Brewerton: Aug. 4, 12:30 to 5 p.m. — Brewerton Fire Dept., 9625 Brewerton Rd.
• Bridgeport: Aug. 7, 1:30 to 6 p.m. — St. Francis of Assisi, 7820 Bridgeport Minoa Rd.
• Camillus: Aug. 11, 1 to 5 p.m. — Elks Lodge, 6117 Newport Rd.
• Cicero:
  
  • Aug. 4, 1 to 6 p.m. — Driver's Village, 5885 E. Circle Drive, Suite 200
  • Aug. 13, 1 to 6 p.m. — American Legion Post 787, 5575 Legionnaire Drive
• East Syracuse:
  
  • July 30, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Kinney Drugs-KPH Health Care Services, 6333 Route 298, Suite 305
  • Aug. 12, 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — 5000 Brittonfield, 5000 Brittonfield Pkwy.
• Elbridge: Aug. 1, 8 a.m. to noon — Elbridge Fire Department, 275 East Main St.
• Fayetteville:
  
  • July 31, 1 to 6 p.m. — Northeast Medical Center, 4000 Medical Center Drive
  • Aug. 1, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Hal Welsh East Area Family YMCA, 200 Towne Dr.
  • Aug. 6, 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. — Northeast Medical Center, 4000 Medical Center Drive
  • Aug. 7, 1 to 6 p.m. — St. David's Episcopal Church, 14 Jamar Drive
  • Aug. 8, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Fayetteville United Methodist Church, 601 East Genesee St.
  • Aug. 14, 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. — Northeast Medical Center, 4000 Medical Center Drive
• LaFayette:
  
  • Aug. 4, 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. — LaFayette Fire Dept., 2444 US Route 11
  • Aug. 11, 1 to 6 p.m. — Pompey Community Church, 2555 Berwyn Rd.
• Manlius:
  
  • Aug. 12, 1 to 6 p.m. — Christ Church, 407 E. Seneca St.
  • Aug. 15, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Manlius Village Center, 1 Arkie Albanese Ave.
• Nedrow: Aug. 1, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Nedrow Fire Dept., 6505 South Salina St.
• North Syracuse: Aug. 11, 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. — Memorial Masonic Lodge, 648 Centerville Pl.
• Skaneateles: Aug. 15, 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. — Skaneateles Fire Department, 77 West Genesee St.
• Solvay: Aug. 14, noon to 5 p.m. — Solvay Fire Department, 1925 Milton Ave.
• Syracuse:
  
  • July 29, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. — NY State Department of Environmental Conservation - Region 7, 5786 Widewaters Pkwy.
  • July 29, 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. — Salt City Market, 484 S. Salina St.
  • July 31, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Betts Branch Library, 4862 South Salina St.
  • Aug. 1, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. — India Center, 1990 Meadowbrook Dr.
  • Aug. 6, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. — Elmcrest Children's Center, 960 Salt Springs Rd.
  • Aug. 7, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Howlett Hill Fire Dept., 3384 Howlett Hill Rd.
  • Aug. 10, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — 315 Beauty Bar, 720 Van Rensselaer St.
  • Aug. 12, 7:30 a.m. to noon — Crouse Hospital Business Center, 730 S. Crouse Ave.
  • Aug. 12, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Delta Air Lines, Syracuse Hancock International Airport, 1000 Col. Eileen Collins Blvd.
  • Aug. 13, 1 to 6 p.m. — Hoosock-Jensen Salina Community Center, 2601 Brewerton Rd.
• Tully: Aug. 8, 8 a.m. to noon — Tully United Community Church, 5872 Meetinghouse Rd.

Oswego County

• Central Square: July 28, noon to 5 p.m. — American Legion Post 915, 3301 Fulton Ave.
  
• Fulton:
  
  • July 31, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Fulton Municipal Building, 141 S. 1st St.
  • Aug. 5, 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. — Believers Chapel, 614 South 4th St.
• Oswego:
  
  • July 28, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. — SUNY Oswego, 109 Campus Center
  • July 29, 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. — Oswego Elks Lodge 271, 132 W. 5th St.
  • July 30, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Oswego Hospital, 110 West Sixth St.
  • Aug. 12, 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. — Oswego Elks Lodge 271, 132 W. 5th St.
• West Monroe: July 27, 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. — Life Church, 2363 NY Route 49