Spoke last week about being turned away to give blood and wondering if it was the economy. Got in today with an appointment but the conspiracy theory part is that they are now calling people to donate. Also if you have o or o positive you are getting $120 dollars and platelets are 150. Ask them why the big jump said no clue but instead of going out 3 days a week they are now doing 5 some of the teams in bigger areas are going out 6. They said they have never seen it like this before and told if they have to turn someone away get them an appointment for the next time in the area. They have been told for years that only 3 percent of people donate. Now a big push to get new people and increase the amount collected by 10-12 percent of population. They said something is coming but they don’t have any idea what. Last sentence was a quote.
CHAT Blood donation revisited
- Thread starter workhorse
- Start date
Then the hospitals turn around and charge between $1000-$3500 for your blood.
Josie
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Used to work in a blood bank many moons ago. Blood can be frozen and stockpiled. It depends on which component that is needed. Fresh whole blood is generally good under refrigeration for about 21 days (back in my day) or now they're saying 42 days.
Holy crapola! Hubby and I need to find your donation place. We're both O neg and have only gotten cookies and a cup of juice and an occasional t-shirt.
Holy crapola! Hubby and I need to find your donation place. We're both O neg and have only gotten cookies and a cup of juice and an occasional t-shirt.
Walbash
Contributing Member
American Red Cross Declares Second-Ever National Blood Supply Crisis, Urges Immediate Blood Donations
July 27, 2026The American Red Cross has declared only the second national blood supply crisis in its history after blood donations fell to a four-year summer low, deepening an emergency shortage that threatens the availability of lifesaving blood for patients across the country.
Despite thousands of people answering the call to give, blood donations are not keeping pace with hospital demand — which is up during the summer trauma season. Extreme heat, poor air quality and widespread foodborne illnesses are contributing to lower donor turnout this summer, further straining the nation’s blood supply.
As the nation's largest single provider of blood products, the Red Cross now has less than a one-day national supply of type O positive blood — the most commonly transfused blood type. To help ensure blood is available for patients facing the most critical, life-threatening emergencies across the country, the Red Cross has begun limiting distributions of type O blood to individual hospitals.
These blood supply challenges are being felt across the U.S. blood community. Many blood collectors have also reported critical shortages this summer.
Just three more donors at each blood drive this summer can end this crisis and stabilize the blood supply. 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).
A Second National Blood Supply Crisis
January 2022 is the only other time that the Red Cross declared a national blood crisis. Since then, the organization has put several prevention measures in place, such as enhancing planning with hospitals for their ongoing needs. But this summer’s elevated demand and persistent collections challenges have still pushed the national blood supply to crisis levels.
“The Red Cross takes its responsibility as the nation’s largest single provider of blood products incredibly seriously and has worked tirelessly to strengthen the blood supply for our hospital partners,” said Chris Hrouda, president of Red Cross Biomedical Services. “Following our first-ever national blood crisis in 2022, we put additional safeguards in place to help prevent a crisis like that from happening again. But this summer, blood donations simply are not keeping pace with hospital demand, and inventories — especially type O blood — remain under significant strain. Every donation has the potential to help save lives, and we urgently need everyone who is eligible to make an appointment to give blood as soon as possible.”
How to End the Blood Supply Crisis
Q: How can people end the blood supply crisis?
A: The Red Cross urges all eligible donors — especially those with type O blood — to make an appointment to give blood as soon as possible using the Blood Donor App, by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). If an immediate appointment is not available, donors are encouraged to schedule a donation in the days and weeks ahead to help the Red Cross replenish and maintain a stable blood supply.
As a thank-you, everyone who comes to give blood by July 31, 2026, will receive a Fandango Movie Ticket by email (up to a $15 ticket price and fees). Those who donate Aug. 1–31, 2026, will receive a $20 Amazon Gift Card by email. Additional details about both offers are available at RedCrossBlood.org.
Q: How many blood donors are needed to end the blood supply crisis?
A: Just three more donors at each blood drive this summer can end this crisis and stabilize the blood supply.
Q: Why is type O blood so important?
A: Type O blood accounts for about 60% of Red Cross blood distributions because it is essential for both everyday patient care and medical emergencies. Type O positive — the most commonly transfused blood type — can be safely given to about 80% of patients, while type O negative remains the universal blood type relied upon when every second counts.
Q: How does the Red Cross partner with hospitals to meet patient needs?
A: The Red Cross monitors the nation's blood supply daily and works closely with hospital partners to prioritize the most urgent patient needs. As the nation's largest single provider of blood products, the organization strives to ensure blood is available whenever and wherever patients need it.
After the first national blood crisis in 2022, the Red Cross and hospitals across the country have strengthened their partnership to improve stewardship of the nation's blood supply. Hospitals now schedule about 65% of their anticipated blood needs in advance, providing greater predictability for both the volume of blood products needed and where they are needed most. This enhanced coordination has helped improve the efficiency and resilience of the blood supply while ensuring careful stewardship of precious type O blood products.
A strong supply of every blood type is critical to that effort. When hospitals have adequate supplies of A, B and AB blood, they can provide patients with blood that matches their blood type whenever possible. This preserves type O blood for patients with type O blood and for life-threatening emergencies, when there isn't time to determine a patient's blood type.
While these improvements have strengthened the blood supply, they cannot overcome a sustained decline in donations. Maintaining a stable blood supply ultimately depends on volunteer donors of every blood type giving regularly. Every donation helps ensure lifesaving blood is available for patients every day — and when emergencies strike.
www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/press-release/2026/red-cross-declares-national-blood-supply-crisis-urges-immediate-.html
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Samuel Adams
Has No Life - Lives on TB
In my line of work, I am (apparently) required to donate blood several times a week.
I usually don’t even get a band-aid out of the deal.
One day, some months back, a close female friend showed up to pay a brief work-related visit, immediately following my most recent blood donating incident.
I was actually still in the process and she commented that I really ought to get that wrapped up, etc.
I told her, while standing there somewhat obviously bleeding out, (that top disc on a bale grinder is REALLY SHARP !!!) that if I wrapped it and all that stuff, that as soon as I got back out to work, _They_ would just poke another hole some place else.
I usually don’t even get a band-aid out of the deal.
One day, some months back, a close female friend showed up to pay a brief work-related visit, immediately following my most recent blood donating incident.
I was actually still in the process and she commented that I really ought to get that wrapped up, etc.
I told her, while standing there somewhat obviously bleeding out, (that top disc on a bale grinder is REALLY SHARP !!!) that if I wrapped it and all that stuff, that as soon as I got back out to work, _They_ would just poke another hole some place else.
Southside
Has No Timebombs, Lives on Life
Brother, if it was easy, everyone would still be doing it.In my line of work, I am (apparently) required to donate blood several times a week.
I usually don’t even get a band-aid out of the deal.
One day, some months back, a close female friend showed up to pay a brief work-related visit, immediately following my most recent blood donating incident.
I was actually still in the process and she commented that I really ought to get that wrapped up, etc.
I told her, while standing there somewhat obviously bleeding out, (that top disc on a bale grinder is REALLY SHARP !!!) that if I wrapped it and all that stuff, that as soon as I got back out to work, _They_ would just poke another hole some place else.
They aren't!
In my line of work, I am (apparently) required to donate blood several times a week.
I usually don’t even get a band-aid out of the deal.
One day, some months back, a close female friend showed up to pay a brief work-related visit, immediately following my most recent blood donating incident.
I was actually still in the process and she commented that I really ought to get that wrapped up, etc.
I told her, while standing there somewhat obviously bleeding out, (that top disc on a bale grinder is REALLY SHARP !!!) that if I wrapped it and all that stuff, that as soon as I got back out to work, _They_ would just poke another hole some place else.
If you ain't leakin', probably not getting much done.
Carl2
Pass it forward...
A "heads up" note: if you feel abnormally weak after donating blood, look into the cause immediately. I donated for 47 years; the last time, I was struck by how weak I felt. The next day I found a swollen lymph node; it was lymphoma. My cancer has been in remission now for several years. The Red Cross told me their policy was that victims of blood cancer can never donate blood again.
Samuel Adams
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Bleeding ?
I don’t find it particularly difficult……
My sentiments, exactly.
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Samuel Adams
Has No Life - Lives on TB
jed turtle
a brother in the Lord
Covid vax collateral damage just showing up?
war injuries in the Persian gulf needs?
war injuries in the Persian gulf needs?
CaryC
TB Fanatic
That particular statement is probably false.
Type O- is called the universal donor, because it has no A or B properties therefore can be used by either to include O, and the Negative can be given to either negative or positive blood types.
And O positive blood type can only be given to people with a positive Rh factor.
They may have phrased it the way they did, because +RH factor is the most common.
But O- is the universal donor and can be used on everyone except those that are extremely rare.
I suspect the old-time, reliable, stand-by donors are aging out of the pool (medications, health problems, not living independent anymore) and a good many younger folks don't have the "perceived' time, sense of civic responsibility or even the intestinal fortitude to face down a needle voluntarily.
Many of us got into volunteer donating through church, our place of employment, civic organizations, etc. Think what little influence these currently have for the younger generations. Not on their radar screen as "influencers". Their "influencers" are on another kind of screen, and definitely not pushing civic responsibility.
Many of us got into volunteer donating through church, our place of employment, civic organizations, etc. Think what little influence these currently have for the younger generations. Not on their radar screen as "influencers". Their "influencers" are on another kind of screen, and definitely not pushing civic responsibility.
CaryC
TB Fanatic
I was thinking the same thing. Great minds lol.
pauldingbabe
The Great Cat
War footing...if you look you can see the build up everywhere.
MountainBiker
Veteran Member
Or maybe readiness in anticipation of an event to coincide with the 25th anniversary of 9/11?War footing...if you look you can see the build up everywhere.
tiredude
Veteran Member
No offense but I’m thinking Red Cross blood donation worker saying ‘something’s coming’ is right up there with the fat mall security guy acting authoritatively……
Samuel Adams
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Like Barney Fife and the one bullet thingy ?
tiredude
Veteran Member
Yep….. there you go making me smile!
Samuel Adams
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I honestly believe…..moving forward…..levity will surpass all other previously valued commodities.
Knoxville's Joker
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I think part of the issue is the collapse of trust in the medical community post COVID.
And not in a gift card either.
Since the roll out of the COVID shots the hospitals are full of people who are getting amputation or brain surgery due to clots and need loads of blood .
I was in visiting a family member who was having a leg amputation and I'm was stunned at the amount of people who were in getting amputations in a small city and the death rate is so bad in the UK they are refusing to publish the figures, maternity units are the same, in the last 3 weeks I have heard of 4 people who have died with brain hemorrhages 3 of them were youngish 40 to 50 .
In New Zealand with a population of 4 million there are 500.000 deaths since COVID and massive amounts of people seriously ill , Australia is also refusing to publish the death figures so as not to spook the public
winteryknight.com
All you have to look for is how many schools are closing in your country
I was in visiting a family member who was having a leg amputation and I'm was stunned at the amount of people who were in getting amputations in a small city and the death rate is so bad in the UK they are refusing to publish the figures, maternity units are the same, in the last 3 weeks I have heard of 4 people who have died with brain hemorrhages 3 of them were youngish 40 to 50 .
In New Zealand with a population of 4 million there are 500.000 deaths since COVID and massive amounts of people seriously ill , Australia is also refusing to publish the death figures so as not to spook the public
UK government is “withholding data that may link Covid jab to excess deaths”
There’s a new article the UK Telegraph, with the headline: “Government ‘withholding data that may link Covid jab to excess deaths’”. The subtitle is “UKHSA argued that relea…
winteryknight.com
All you have to look for is how many schools are closing in your country
Knoxville's Joker
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Not spook the public, prevent a lynching mob against anyone involved on the causation of things...Since the roll out of the COVID shots the hospitals are full of people who are getting amputation or brain surgery due to clots and need loads of blood .
I was in visiting a family member who was having a leg amputation and I'm was stunned at the amount of people who were in getting amputations in a small city and the death rate is so bad in the UK they are refusing to publish the figures, maternity units are the same, in the last 3 weeks I have heard of 4 people who have died with brain hemorrhages 3 of them were youngish 40 to 50 .
In New Zealand with a population of 4 million there are 500.000 deaths since COVID and massive amounts of people seriously ill , Australia is also refusing to publish the death figures so as not to spook the public
UK government is “withholding data that may link Covid jab to excess deaths”
There’s a new article the UK Telegraph, with the headline: “Government ‘withholding data that may link Covid jab to excess deaths’”. The subtitle is “UKHSA argued that relea…
All you have to look for is how many schools are closing in your country
In little over 10 days I received 3 letters asking for blood samples for test purposes and offering a £10 voucher for those stupid enough to take part in the survey, Neurosurgeons admit they cannot tell the difference between a brain with Dementia, Altzimers Parkinson's and CJD ( mad cow) they all look the same under autopsy conditions
ShadowMan
Designated Grumpy Old Fart
Every time I checked into a new command in the navy the medical "vampires" were constantly after me to give blood. WHY? I'm AB negative − it's the rarest of the eight major ABO/Rh blood types., AB−: about 0.6–1% of the U.S. population. AB plasma is particularly valuable because AB plasma can generally be given to patients of any ABO type (with Rh considerations depending on the situation).
My uncle refused blood transfusions before surgery during the AIDS blood epidemic. He died.
Josie
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Here I was thinking Paul Blart from the Mall Cop movie.