Return to Mayo Clinic Q&A

Blood donations plummet during COVID-19 pandemic

healthcare, medicine and blood donation concept - african american female hands holding red heart with donor sign

Blood donations plummet during COVID-19 pandemic
March 17, 2020

With recommendations to stay home during the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. now has a critical blood shortage. Blood donation collections have plummeted due to canceled blood drives and concerns about being out in the community. Almost half of U.S. blood collectors are reporting that they only have a two-day supply or less of blood products.

On today's Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Justin Kreuter, transfusion medicine specialist with the Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Center, explains how new blood donors are needed to step up and fill the void.