The American Red Cross is asking donors to roll up their sleeves after declaring an emergency blood shortage caused by a sharp decline in donations during June. The organization says its blood supply dropped nearly 25 percent, creating a growing gap between available blood and hospital demand. The shortage is especially critical for platelets, O-positive blood, and B-negative blood.
Blood Assurance says several days of heavy hospital usage have pushed its supply of O-positive and O-negative blood to critical levels, while platelet supplies are also nearing critical status.
The organization says there is an emergency need for donors as soon as possible, especially those with Type O blood.
The need comes as the region moves into severe weather season, a time when trauma cases can rise and put even more pressure on local blood supplies. Blood Assurance says rebuilding the supply quickly is especially important to help meet patient needs.
Blood Assurance is the primary supplier of blood and blood products for Atrium Health Floyd and AdventHealth Redmond in Rome, and it also supplies Cartersville Medical Center. Donations made at Blood Assurance donor centers and blood drives in Rome and Cartersville help support local patients across the area.
Eligible donors are encouraged to make an appointment as soon as possible, although walk-ins are also being accepted.
To schedule a donation, visit Blood Assurance online, call 800-962-0628, or text BAGIVE to 999777.
The American Red Cross is urging donors to help the national blood supply recover from a severe shortage by making an appointment to give blood during March.
As an added thank-you during Red Cross Month, the Red Cross says successful blood, platelet, or plasma donations made March 1 through March 31, 2026 will come with two incentives: free A1C testing (one result per calendar year) and a $15 Amazon gift card delivered by email.
January is National Blood Donor Month, and Blood Assurance is reminding residents that winter is one of the toughest times of the year to maintain a stable blood supply. Donations often drop because of holiday travel, seasonal illnesses, and weather-related disruptions—while hospital demand remains steady and can even rise.










