According to Axios, the American Red Cross and the U.S. Surgeon General's Office are urging people to donate blood after the U.S. supply reached crisis levels, with the Red Cross saying it has less than a one-day national supply of type O positive blood. The organization said it is limiting distribution of type O blood to hospitals after donations fell to a four-year summer low in 2026, and it blamed the weak turnout on extreme heat, bad air quality and widespread foodborne illnesses. Chris Hrouda, president of Red Cross Biomedical Services, said in a press release that the group urgently needs eligible donors to make appointments as soon as possible. The Red Cross said this is only the second national blood supply crisis it has recorded, after January 2022, and noted that in 2024 it described the situation as an emergency blood shortage. It is offering a Fandango movie ticket worth up to $15 to people who donate by July 31 and a $20 Amazon gift card to donors in August.