The American Red Cross has declared it’s second-ever National Blood Supply Crisis.

The severe blood shortage has officials urging eligible donors to roll up their sleeves.

The Red Cross said they have less than one-day national supply of type O positive blood. That’s the most commonly transfused blood type, saving the lives of patients facing critical and life-threatening emergencies across the US.

Cristina Maisel, Regional Communications Manager for the American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania said this is the second time in history that the Red Cross has declared a blood crisis.

“The previous one was back in COVID. Right now, we are seeing a four-year summer low in blood collections, and right now, hospital demand is outpacing what is coming in,” said Maisel.

Maisel said there are some factors that contribute to the low supply, including the summer season, with people traveling and not in their regular routines. This year, a mix of the extreme heat and poor air quality has also kept a lot of people inside of their homes.

But the statistics show that every two seconds, someone in the country needs blood.

“You never know when that’s going to be your loved one or your neighbor or your coworker. So it’s so important that we all come out and help,” Maisel said.

Basic qualifications for Pennsylvania residents include being 17-years-old or 16-years-old with parental consent, weighing at least 110 pounds and feeling healthy.

      

“Knowing you’re helping a hospital patient, it’s just such a great feeling,” Maisel said.

Appointments can be booked by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DONATION OPPORTUNITIES

JULY 27 – AUGUST 15 , 2026

BERKS COUNTY

July 28, 1:15 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.: American Legion Ray A. Master Post 217, 133 Centre Ave., Topton

July 30, 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.: Fred Beans Ford of Boyertown, 525 PA-100, Boyertown

August 7, 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.: Medical Office Building, 101 Wellness Wy, Reading

August 8, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Gouglersville Fire. Co. No.1, 475 Mohns Hill Rd., Reading

CARBON COUNTY

July 27, 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.: Jim Thorpe Market, 1 River Rd., Jim Thorpe

LEHIGH COUNTY

July 31, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest – Kasych Building, 1200 S Cedar Crest Blvd., Allentown

August 1, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.: American Red Cross Pennsylvania Rivers Chapter, 3939 Broadway, Allentown

August 8, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Muslim Association of Lehigh Valley, 1988 Schadt Ave., Whitehall

August 12, 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.: LVCIL, 713 N 13th St., Allentown

August 13, 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.: Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg North Entrance 2545 Building, 2545 Schoenersville Rd., Bethlehem

August 13, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest – Kasych Building, 1200 S Cedar Crest Blvd., Allentown

MONROE COUNTY

July 30, 10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Baymont Inn and Suites, 116 Turtlewalk Ln., Bartonsville

July 31, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.: Monroe County Meals on Wheels, 901 Polk Valley Rd., Stroudsburg

July 31, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.: VFW Post # 3448, 119 VFW Dr., Tobyhanna

August 4, 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.: A Pocono Country Place E Club House, 112 Recreation Dr., Tobyhanna

August 11, 1:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.: St. Johns Catholic Church, 5171 Milford Rd., Route 209, East Stroudsburg

August 12, 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.: Eastern Monroe Public Library, 1002 North 9th St., Stroudsburg

August 14, 12:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.: Cornerstone Community Church, 388 Polk Township Rd., Kresgeville

August 15, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Lehigh Valley Hospital-Pocono Cancer Center, 181 E Brown St., East Stroudsburg

NORTHAMPTON COUNTY

July 29, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Forks Township Community Center, 500 Zucksville Rd., Easton

July 29, 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.: The Center Lehigh Valley, 529 East Broad St., Bethlehem

August 14, 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.: Charles Chrin Community Center, 4100 Green Pond Rd., Easton

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY

July 28, 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.: St Andrews United Methodist Church, 1382 W Main St., Valley View

July 30, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.: Friedensburg Fire Company, 1357 Long Run Rd., Friedensburg

July 30, 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.: Trinity Lutheran Church, 300 West Arch St., Pottsville

July 31, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Fairlane Village Mall, 7211 Fairlane Village Mall, Pottsville

August 3, 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.: Christ’s United Lutheran Church, 437 Airport Rd., (Gordon), Ashland

August 10, 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.: Frackville Elks 1533, 307 South Third St., Frackville

August 12, 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.: Masonic Lodge, 1000 E. Market St., Orwigsburg