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Blood Supply Plummets 35% Amid Winter Crisis

1/21/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The American Red Cross reports a 35% drop in blood supplies last month.
High flu activity and severe winter weather disrupted more than 400 blood drives nationwide.
Hospitals are triaging blood products, especially platelets and blood types O negative, A negative, B negative.
Donors can schedule appointments via Red Cross website or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS, with a chance to win a trip to Super Bowl LX by January 25.

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Story summary

The American Red Cross reports a 35% drop in blood supplies last month.
High flu activity and severe winter weather disrupted more than 400 blood drives nationwide.
Hospitals are triaging blood products, especially platelets and blood types O negative, A negative, B negative.
Donors can schedule appointments via Red Cross website or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS, with a chance to win a trip to Super Bowl LX by January 25.