For only the second time in history, the American Red Cross has declared a national blood crisis — and patients may already be feeling the impact. Blood donations have fallen to a four-year summer low, worsening this season’s emergency blood shortage. All blood types are needed, but the situation is especially dire for type O blood as the Red Cross is now limiting distributions of these blood products to hospitals. Book an appointment to give blood now by using the Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission.