NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As the nation faces only the second blood crisis in the American Red Cross’ history, Ascension Saint Thomas is urging Middle Tennesseans to roll up their sleeves and donate blood to help protect the region’s blood supply and ensure lifesaving care remains available for patients in need.

The current nationwide shortage comes as blood donations have dropped to a four-year summer low while hospitals continue to see a steady demand for transfusions. Ascension Saint Thomas, which relies on the American Red Cross for its blood supply, says the shortage is already affecting patient care.

Hospital leaders say some elective surgeries have been rescheduled because of limited blood products, and additional procedures could face delays if donations do not increase. Platelets and type O blood are in especially short supply.

To help replenish inventories, Ascension Saint Thomas will host community blood drives from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Aug. 10 at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West and Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown. Walk-in donors are welcome, and appointments are also available through the American Red Cross.

Eligible donors of all blood types are encouraged to make an appointment, with an especially urgent need for type O donors. Those who donate blood during August will receive a $20 Amazon gift card by email as a thank-you from the American Red Cross.

Blood donations are used every day to care for trauma patients, emergency surgeries, childbirth complications, organ transplants, cancer treatments and individuals living with blood disorders such as sickle cell disease.

“Blood is one of the few medical resources that cannot be manufactured,” said Dr. Brian Wilcox, Chief Clinical Officer for Ascension Saint Thomas. “Every unit transfused comes from someone who took the time to donate. Every day, our physicians and care teams depend on a stable blood supply to provide timely, lifesaving care.”

The American Red Cross declared a national blood and platelet shortage on July 13 after the country’s blood supply declined by 25% in June. Officials say extreme heat, poor air quality and widespread foodborne illnesses have contributed to fewer donations this summer.

The shortage is especially concerning for type O blood, the blood type most often used during emergencies because it can be safely transfused before a patient’s blood type is confirmed. According to the Red Cross, supplies of type O positive blood have fallen below a one-day inventory, prompting distribution limits to hospitals.

Platelets remain another major concern because they have a shelf life of just five days. Nearly half of all platelet transfusions are used to support cancer patients undergoing treatment.

“Blood is needed every two seconds somewhere in the United States,” Wilcox said. “Whether someone is recovering from a serious injury, undergoing surgery or receiving cancer treatment, blood donors make those treatments possible.”

The Red Cross estimates that if just three additional people donated at every blood drive this summer, it could help stabilize the nation’s blood supply and end the current shortage.

Appointments can be scheduled through the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting their website, or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).