MD Blood Donors Urgently Needed As Red Cross Declares National Crisis

For only the second time in history, the American Red Cross has declared a national blood supply crisis and is urging eligible people in Maryland to donate as hospitals face a severe shortage, particularly of type O blood.

Blood donations have fallen to a four-year summer low and are not keeping pace with hospital demand during the busy trauma season, the Red Cross said. The only other time the Red Cross declared a national blood crisis was in January 2022.

The Red Cross said it has less than a one-day national supply of type O positive blood, the most commonly transfused blood type, and has begun limiting the amount sent to individual hospitals so supplies remain available for patients with the most critical needs.

Extreme heat, poor air quality and widespread foodborne illnesses have contributed to lower donor turnout this summer, according to the organization. At the same time, demand has increased as hospitals treat more people injured in accidents and other emergencies.

Blood Donation Centers In Baltimore Area

Anne Arundel County

• American Red Cross Annapolis Blood and Platelet Donation Center
  • Address: 65 Forest Plaza, Annapolis
  • Hours: Monday-Wednesday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Thursday, 9 a.m.-5:15 p.m.; Saturday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.; closed Friday and Sunday
• American Red Cross Glen Burnie Blood and Platelet Donation Center
  • Address: 7310 Ritchie Highway, Suite 114, Glen Burnie
  • Hours: Sunday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.; Monday, noon-8 p.m.; Wednesday, 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.; closed Tuesday

Baltimore County

• American Red Cross White Marsh Blood and Platelet Donation Center
  • Address: 8114 Sandpiper Circle, Suite 118, Baltimore
  • Hours: Sunday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.; Tuesday-Wednesday, 11:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.; closed Monday
• American Red Cross Lutherville Blood Donation Center
  • Address: 2405 York Rd. Suite 300, Lutherville
  • Hours: Sunday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.; Monday-Wednesday, noon-8 p.m.; Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.

Howard County

• American Red Cross Columbia Blood, Platelet and Plasma Donation Center
  • Address: 10400 Little Patuxent Pkwy. Suite 400, Columbia
  • Hours: Sunday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.; Monday-Wednesday, noon-8 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Note: Platelet donations are by appointment only.

Montgomery County

• American Red Cross Rockville Blood, Platelet and Plasma Donation Center
  • Address: 11820 Parklawn Dr. Suite 510, Rockville
  • Hours: Sunday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.; Monday, 12:30-8:30 p.m.; Tuesday, noon-8 p.m.; Wednesday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
• American Red Cross Montgomery Chapter House Blood Drive
  • Address: 2020 East-West Highway, Silver Spring
  • Hours: Second and fourth Mondays, 1:30-7 p.m.; first and third Thursdays, 1:30-7 p.m.
  • Note: This is a recurring blood-drive site rather than a daily donation center.

Prince George’s County

• American Red Cross Lanham Blood and Platelet Donation Center
  • Address: 9321 Annapolis Rd., Lanham
  • Hours: Sunday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.; Monday-Tuesday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Wednesday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thursday, 9 a.m.-5:15 p.m.; closed Friday and Saturday

Hours may change, so donors should confirm availability and schedule an appointment before visiting.

Marylanders can also find local blood drives using this tool.

Stabilizing The Blood Supply

The Red Cross said adding just three donors at each blood drive this summer could stabilize the national supply. Donors of every blood type are needed, but the organization is especially seeking people with type O positive and O negative blood.

Type O blood accounts for about 60 percent of Red Cross blood distributions. O positive blood can be given to about 80 percent of patients, while O negative is the universal blood type used during emergencies when doctors do not have time to determine a patient’s blood type.

Eligible donors may schedule an appointment through the Red Cross Blood Donor App, at RedCrossBlood.org, or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS or 1-800-733-2767. People who cannot find an immediate opening are encouraged to schedule an appointment in the coming days or weeks. People who donate from Aug. 1 through Aug. 31 will receive a $20 Amazon gift card by email, according to the Red Cross.