Blood donations across Colorado have dropped hard, just as the state rolls into the so-called 100 deadliest days of summer, the stretch between Memorial Day and Labor Day when serious highway crashes spike. In the last few weeks, the American Red Cross says scheduled appointments have fallen sharply, and regional inventories have slipped by several thousand units in a single week. Hospitals count on steady supplies to treat trauma victims, surgical patients, and people with chronic conditions, so a prolonged slump could strain care as the season heats up. In response, Red Cross officials and health partners are rolling out incentive programs and weekend drives to shore up the supply.
“Scheduled donations, which account for about 90% of all blood donations, have dropped sharply in recent weeks,” the Red Cross warned in a regional statement, adding that inventories “fell by several thousand units in just a week.” According to the American Red Cross, summer habits like vacations, school breaks, severe weather, and big sporting events routinely disrupt drives and deepen shortages. The advisory notes that a single person injured in a major crash can require dozens of transfused units, which is why the group is leaning so hard on donors right now.
Summer trauma season and crash figures
The stretch between Memorial Day and Labor Day, often called the 100 deadliest days, reliably brings more severe crashes and hospital traumas. The Colorado Department of Transportation reports that during that period in 2024, the state recorded 221 roadway deaths and roughly 3,325 serious injuries, with impaired and inexperienced drivers contributing to the toll, according to the agency. That heavier trauma load is a big reason the Red Cross says it is urging donors to keep appointments on the books this month.
American Red Cross Colorado CEO Andrea Miller told local reporters that “maintaining a healthy blood supply is critical to meeting the needs” of trauma patients and others who depend on transfusions, and she warned that hospitals may have to postpone elective surgeries if collections do not rebound. In an interview with Denver7, Miller said the Red Cross is partnering with health systems, including a Juneteenth blood drive with Kaiser Permanente at a Franklin office on June 19, to encourage signups. She urged donors to stick to their scheduled times and use RapidPass to speed up their visit.
How to help
The Red Cross is offering a $15 e-gift card to donors who give between June 1 and June 28 and is automatically entering donors into a drawing for two $7,500 prizes, according to the organization’s donor site. For appointments, RapidPass pre-screening, and a full list of local drives, the Red Cross directs donors to the American Red Cross or 1-800-RED-CROSS. Organizers say scheduling and keeping donation appointments is the fastest way for community members to help hospitals avoid triage decisions this summer.
