American Red Cross seeking immediate blood donations

Donors wait for their appointments to donate blood at the American Red Cross office in Santa Monica, Calif. In Georgia, donation centers are sometimes at a half-day supply for most need supply. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

The American Red Cross is experiencing a national blood shortage crisis amid the omicron surge.

Dr. Baia Lasky, the medical director of the American Red Cross of Georgia, says the organization has lost about 10% of its donor base and that number has compounded since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We need all blood types, but type O positive and O negative are in the greatest demand,” said Lasky on Tuesday’s edition of “Closer Look.”



Lasky further explained Georgia donation centers are sometimes at a half-day supply for most need supply.

She also explained how the critical shortage is trickling down to hospitals—causing doctors to make a critical decision as it relates to what patients receive blood and how the public can donate blood.

Learn more about how and where you can give blood here.