A massive shortage of blood across the nation has led the American Red Cross to declare its first-ever National Blood Crisis. The shortage, made worse by the pandemic, the holiday break and winter weather, threatens to affect patient care at Michigan Medicine. Blood Bank director Robertson Davenport, M.D., explains what's at stake for patients with cancer, failing organs, traumatic injuries and more. He also explains the kinds of blood products it takes to treat these conditions, and shows the Blood Bank team members hard at work to make the most of the supply. Read more about the current shortage: https://michmed.org/vVJQX Sign up to give blood, find out if you're eligible, or find out how to volunteer at a blood drive: https://www.redcrossblood.org/ Learn how your donation on the U-M campus Jan. 18 to Feb. 23 can help the Wolverines prevail over MSU, Penn State and Wisconsin in the Big Heart Blood Battle challenge: https://www.bloodbattle.org/