To help counter the blood shortage crisis as part of the Knights of Columbus’ Disaster Preparedness Program, the Knights of Columbus San Salvador Council will be hosting The American Red Cross for a blood drive at The National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia (Cascia Center). All blood donated goes to support our local hospitals.

Friday, September 25

Cascia Center 12:00 PM - 05:00 PM

Blood Emerency!

The 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.