Red Cross Urges Donors as Summer Blood Supply Runs Low

The American Red Cross is sounding the alarm as summer strains the nation’s blood supply. With emergency room visits on the rise and fewer donors available due to vacations, hospitals are feeling the pressure. To meet demand, the Red Cross is hosting additional blood drives and offering incentives like gift cards and free A1C testing through August 28. For many donors, the motivation is deeply personal—whether honoring a loved one battling illness or paying it forward after seeing the lifesaving impact of blood donations firsthand. The message is clear: every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood, and summer is the time when giving matters most.