Red Cross declares second-ever national blood supply crisis—how you can help

Earlier this week, the American Red Cross issued its second-ever national blood supply crisis after blood donations fell to a four-year summer low. Despite the efforts of thousands of volunteers, blood donations are not keeping pace with hospital demand—threatening patient care and limiting the amount of life-saving type O blood distributed to hospitals.

Read on to learn more about the national blood supply crisis and how you can help.

Why is there a national blood supply crisis?

Earlier this month, the American Red Cross issued a national emergency due to a critical shortage in blood supply admist the summer trauma season—the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day when the need for blood to treat traumatic injuries often increases. Despite repeated blood drives and calls to action, there is still a critical gap between blood availability and patient need.

On July 27, the American Red Cross declared its second-ever national blood crisis admist critically low blood donations and shortages of type O blood. According to a press release, blood donations have fallen to a four-year summer low, with the nationwide supply of type O positive blood—the most common blood type and compatible with any positive blood type—has now dropped below a one-day supply.

“This summer has brought a number of unique challenges that have placed additional strain on our blood supply, creating growing concerns for hospitals and the patients who rely on lifesaving transfusions. If just three more donors gave at each blood drive this summer, we could help the blood supply rebound and ensure hospitals have the blood products they need throughout the remainder of the season.”

Paul Sullivan, Senior Vice President of Donor Services for the Red Cross

Where can I donate blood in Birmingham?

To help end the crisis and stabilize the nation’s blood supply, the American Red Cross urges donors to book an appointment to give blood by:

• Using the Blood Donor App
• Visiting RedCrossBlood.org
• Calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767)

Upcoming blood donation opportunities in Jefferson County through August 15 include:

• Bessemer
  • 8/7/2026: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Church of the Highlands Southwest Campus, 1021 Academy Dr
  • 8/14/2026: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Onelife Fitness McCalla, 4835 Promenade Pkwy
• Birmingham
  • 8/4/2026: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Vestavia Hills Baptist Church, 2600 Vestavia Dr.
  • 8/5/2026: 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Boutwell Auditorium, 1930 Reverend Abraham Woods BLVD
  • 8/6/2026: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Bluff Park United Methodist, 733 Valley Street
  • 8/8/2026: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., A.H. Parker High School Competition Gym, 400 Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Blvd
  • 8/17/2026: 7:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Children’s of Alabama, 1600 7th Avenue South
  • 8/19/2026: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Botanical Gardens RCSV, 2612 Lane Park Rd.
  • 8/21/2026: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Levite Jewish Community Center, 3960 Montclair Rd.
  • 8/25/2026: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., Spire, 605 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd N
  • 8/26/2026: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Homewood Parks and Recreation, 1632 Oxmoor Road
  • 8/26/2026: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Hoover YMCA, 2250 John Hawkins Parkway
  • 8/28/2026: 7 a.m. – 1 p.m., Grandview Medical Center, 3690 Grandview Pkwy
  • 8/28/2026: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Grandview Medical Center, 3690 Grandview Pkwy
• Fairfield
  • 8/27/2026: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Galilee Baptist Church, 219 Jerry Coleman St.
• Gardendale
  • 8/10/2026: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints – Gardendale, 1925 Mount Olive Blvd
  • 8/24/2026: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Gardendale Civic Center, 857 Main St
• Hoover
  • 8/10/2026: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Finley Center, 5508 Stadium Trace Pkwy
• Mountain Brook
  • 8/5/2026: 11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Levite Jewish Community Center, 3960 Montclair Rd
• Trussville
  • 8/3/2026: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Trussville Civic Center, 5381 Trussville Clay Rd.
  • 8/18/2026: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., CrossFit Trussville-Gateway Family Church, 5450 Mary Munger Road
  • 8/21/2026: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Trussville Civic Center, 5381 Trussville Clay Rd.
  • 8/27/2026: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., YMCA Trussville, 5920 Valley Road
• Vestavia Hills
  • 8/19/2026: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Vestavia Hills Civic Center, 1090 Montgomery Hwy

As a thank-you, all who come to give by July 31 will receive a Fandango Movie Ticketby email (up to $15 ticket price and fees). See RedCrossBlood.org/July. Additionally, those who come to give Aug. 1-31, 2026, will receive a $20 Amazon Gift Card by email. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/August. 

In addition, UAB partners with the Red Cross to host a blood donation center at the hospital, located on the second floor of UAB Hospital’s North Pavilion, Room 2390, 1802 6th Ave. S. Call 1-800-733-2767 to schedule a blood donation appointment.

Planning to donate blood to help alleviate the national blood crisis? Tag us @bhamnow to let us know!