U.S. Blood Supply Hits 15-Year Low

The American Red Cross’ blood supply is at its lowest in 15 years, USA Today reports.

The blood supply has hit a low due to severe weather earlier this summer, which caused many blood drives to be cancelled. Summer is typically a slow time for blood donations, according to the Red Cross.

"We just aren't seeing the donors coming through the door right now," Red Cross spokeswoman Karen Stecher told USA Today.

The Red Cross reached emergency levels June 25, with 50,000 fewer donations than expected in June. There are half as many blood products readily available today as at the same time last year.

Locally, Inova Blood Donor Services supplies blood to 15 hospitals in the D.C. metro area. Inova is in need of all blood types, especially the following types: O positive, O negative, A negative, B negative, and AB negative. Here’s where you can donate locally:

, 2501 Parkers Lane

Monday through Thursday: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Closed Friday, Saturday and Sunday

To find more blood drives, visit the Red Cross website.