Red Cross declares blood shortage; drives in Hope and Shelbyville this week

Monday, July 20, 2026 at 8:30 AM

By Staff report

The American Red Cross is declaring an emergency blood shortage as the blood supply fell nearly 25% in June.

Blood donors are urgently needed to give now to help ensure patients receive lifesaving medical care without delay. The shortage is especially serious for platelets and types O positive and B negative blood.

A steep decline in blood donations since the end of May has created a growing gap between supply and patient need. Currently, Red Cross distributions to hospitals are nearly 3,500 units higher per week than expected at a time when hospitals often see higher demand for blood products during the height of trauma season. On top of that, busy schedules and the seasonal loss of school blood drives are driving the decline which could put patient care at risk if not reversed.

The most important way to help end the blood shortage is to book an appointment to give blood now by using the Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). As a thank-you, all who come to give July 13-31, 2026, will receive a Fandango Movie Ticket by email (up to $15 ticket price and fees). Additional details can be found at RedCrossBlood.org/July.

Blood supply misconceptions

Every donation is critical to rebuilding the nation’s blood supply, yet many people may not realize the significant impact a single donation can have on patients in need. A recent Red Cross survey revealed a significant gap between public perception and the reality of the nation's blood supply:

Less than 1 in 5 respondents understood that blood cannot be stockpiled because it has a limited shelf life and must be continually replenished through volunteer donors.
Only about half believed it was very likely that they or someone close to them would need blood one day — even though someone in the U.S. receives a blood transfusion every two seconds.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities July 13-31:

Hope, 7/20/2026: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Hope Moravian Church, 202 Main Street

Greenfield, 7/27: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Hancock County Fairgrounds, 620 Apple St.

Whiteland, 7/27: 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Johnson County Public Library Clark Pleasant Branch

Shelbyville, 7/26: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., American Legion Post 70, 1125 Miller Ave