Lifestyle Health U.S. Facing an Emergency Blood Donation Shortage: Where to Donate The American Red Cross is sounding the alarm as it faces the lowest blood donor turnout in 20 years By Cara Lynn Shultz Cara Lynn Shultz Cara Lynn Shultz is a writer-reporter at PEOPLE. Her work has previously appeared in Billboard, Forbes, and Reader's Digest. People Editorial Guidelines Updated on January 10, 2024 12:38PM EST Close The American Red Cross has announced a blood supply shortage. Photo: Jon Cherry/Getty The United States is facing a shortage of donated blood, the American Red Cross announced this week, as the nonprofit said it’s had the “lowest number of people giving blood in the last 20 years.” “A person needs lifesaving blood every two seconds in our country — and its availability can be the difference between life and death, however, blood is only available thanks to the generosity of those who roll up a sleeve to donate,” Dr. Pampee Young, chief medical officer of the Red Cross, said in a statement. The Red Cross is the largest supplier of donated blood in the United States, and said that between Christmas and New Year’s they experienced a “7,000-unit shortfall” in blood donations. The nonprofit said that they’ve seen a drop in donations due to an increase in the popularity of remote work, which has kept people from participating in employer-sponsored blood drives. The American Red Cross says there's a shortage of donated blood. Michael M. Santiago/Getty On an average day in the United States, 29,000 units of red blood cells, 5,000 units of platelets and 6,500 units of plasma are needed, the Red Cross said. “We hear all the time about really dramatic things that happen in hospitals — of women after childbirth who have substantial unexpected bleeding and who might require dozens or even hundreds of units of blood to survive, and then they do survive because the blood is available. Same thing for people who are in accidents or who require really complicated surgery that’s associated with a lot of blood loss,” Dr. Eric Gehrie, executive physician director for the Red Cross, said, according to ABC News. 'General Hospital’ Star John J. York Reveals 2 Blood and Bone Marrow Disorder Diagnoses: 'This Isn't Goodbye' “When that blood isn’t available, it really diminishes the ability to offer that to somebody who’s in need," he added. Adding to the shortage is the relatively short shelf life of donated blood. Red blood cells expire after 42 days, with platelets needing to be discarded if they aren’t used after five days. Last year, the FDA eased restrictions that had previously kept members of the LGBTQ community from donating blood. However, donors must still meet eligibility requirements, which differ based on the type of donation. Major Lab Techs Allegedly Refusing to Take Blood from Possible Monkeypox Patients: Report For example, women participating in a “power red” donation — what the Red Cross calls a red blood cell donation — need to be at least 5’3” and weigh 150 lbs. Men, however, need to be at least 5'1" tall and weigh at least 130 lbs. Certain medications can also make you ineligible for specific donations as well. Those looking to donate can make an appointment‚ or search for a nearby blood drive, on the Red Cross’s website, or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.