The Brief The Red Cross has officially declared a national blood supply crisis. The blood supply dropped about 25% in July, and donor turnout has continued to free fall. The American Red Cross is sounding the alarm on a national blood shortage, and it has hospitals in our area taking a detailed look at their stockpiles while the Red Cross looks for more donors. Big picture view:The Red Cross has officially declared a national blood supply crisis, and it’s only the second time they've ever done so. The Red Cross says blood donations have dropped to a four-year summer low.