AdvertisementDoctors and patients are facing tough choices because of the national blood crisisJanuary 13, 2022Jonathan FranklinfacebookEmailA phlebotomist tends to a blood donor during the Starts, Stripes, and Pints blood drive event in Louisville, Ky., in July. Rising numbers of organ transplants, trauma cases, and elective surgeries postponed by the COVID-19 pandemic have caused an increase in the need for blood products. (Getty Images)