Blood Products
Blood Products
Responding to Hospital Blood Supply Needs
As the single largest provider of blood products in the United States and a leader in transfusion medicine, the American Red Cross uses its national reach and decades of industry experience to supply hospitals with 6.5 million blood products each year for lifesaving treatments for patients.
American Red Cross Blood Products are Recognized for a Reason
Supplying the Nation
We partner with 60,000 organizations to hold approximately 150,000 blood drives each year. Annually, about 3.5 million individuals donate blood to the American Red Cross. This collaboration enables us to supply blood products throughout the country to meet routine and emergent needs.
By joining forces with us, hospitals gain access to a large network of blood and platelet donors, collection centers, and manufacturing and distribution sites, enabling the Red Cross to fulfill blood product needs. And should it become necessary, in times of disaster, we work at an organizational and community level to supply essential blood products and services around the clock.
Advancing Safety & Innovation
The Red Cross has a long history in the pursuit of innovation and patient safety, whether launching leukoreduction as the standard of care, to the more recent transition to a pathogen reduced platelet supply, or the introduction of low titer O whole blood for trauma. The Red Cross has long been among the first to help develop and implement testing for infectious diseases and is frequently a major contributor to clinical trials to improve blood safety and advance product development.
Adaptable Donor Recruitment Strategies
At the heart of our mission lies the extraordinary act of voluntary blood donation, which plays an integral role in delivering modern healthcare and ensuring a safe and reliable blood supply.
As a leading charity, the Red Cross has a strong presence in many communities, which helps us reach potential blood donors. With an increasing need for rare and universal blood types, we have embraced the power of digital platforms and social media campaigns to modernize our recruitment and collection efforts. With a strategic focus on expanding blood donor diversity through initiatives that engage the Black, Latino and LGBTQ+ communities, the Red Cross ensures blood products meet the specific needs of our hospitals and the patients they serve.
Advocates for Hospitals and Patients
In an industry centered on serving patient needs, the Red Cross is an unwavering advocate for hospitals and their patients. The Red Cross works tirelessly to prevent blood shortages while improving the quality and safety of blood products.
As a pioneer in the field, the Red Cross advocates for blood banking policies and standards that put blood safety and availability first and foremost.
Learn more about how we’re championing blood donors with the ADVANCE study.
Access to Expertise
When hospitals partner with the American Red Cross, they receive access to the experience and knowledge of industry experts. Our extensive network of medical directors, laboratory specialists and researchers are available to provide guidance and best practices, offering consultations that address all aspects of transfusion medicine, including product usage, patient testing, and blood management.
Hospital partners can also tap into additional resources through our leading continuing education platform, SUCCESS® Online Education, that offers readily accessible, current information on blood products, services, and related topics.