Donors urged to make an appointment to give blood and platelets amid growing flu, winter weather impact
[KANSAS CITY, MO, Jan. 20, 2026] — The American Red Cross is facing a severe blood shortage as requests from hospitals exceed the available supply of blood, leading to about a 35% drawdown of blood products in the past month. Individuals are urged to give now so patients don’t face delays in lifesaving care. The shortage is especially serious for platelets and types O, A negative and B negative blood.
High flu activity in nearly every state may be sidelining donors, slowing efforts to rebuild the Red Cross national blood supply. At the same time, hospitals already feeling the strain of the worst flu season in nearly 20 years are now also forced to triage critical blood products. Without immediate action, patients who count on transfusions — including trauma victims, mothers in childbirth and people with sickle cell disease or cancer — face serious risk.
There’s no time to wait — book an appointment to give blood or platelets now by using the Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
As a thank-you to donors for helping tackle the blood shortage, those who come to give through Jan. 25, 2026, will be automatically entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LX in the San Francisco Bay Area. The winner and guest will receive two tickets to Super Bowl LX, access to day-of, in-stadium pregame activities, tickets to the official Super Bowl Experience, round-trip airfare, three-night hotel accommodations (Feb. 6-9, 2026), plus a $1,000 gift card for expenses. See RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl for details.
All who come to give Jan. 26-Feb. 28, 2026, will receive a $20 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. See RedCrossBlood.org/Heart for details.
Weather disrupts vital donations
About 400 blood drives were impacted due to extreme winter weather last month alone — more than three times the number of blood drives impacted during the same time the previous year. As a result, thousands of blood donations have gone uncollected. With intense winter weather and freezing temperatures expected across much of the country in the coming weeks, more blood drives could potentially be delayed or canceled at a time when every unit of blood could be the difference for doctors facing difficult choices about which patients receive blood transfusions and who will need to wait.
“Winter always puts pressure on the blood supply, and this year widespread flu and rough weather are making it even tougher,” said Paul Sullivan, senior vice president of Red Cross donor services. “If you’re able, now’s a great time to make and keep blood donation appointments, during National Blood Donor Month. Every donation can be a lifeline for a patient who isn’t able to hold off on critical care.”
Who donations help
“I would not be here today without blood donations. I’ll never know who you are, but you gave me the gift of life.” Laura Dulle knows firsthand how vital blood donations are. Her life was saved in 2022 after a sudden medical crisis left her with dangerously low hemoglobin levels, requiring five emergency blood transfusions. The experience transformed her from an occasional donor into a passionate advocate in Overland Park. Today, she shares her story to remind others that blood donation isn’t just a medical act, it’s a life‑saving gift that keeps families and communities whole.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Jan. 20-Feb. 3:
MISSOURI
Bates
Adrian
1/20/2026: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Optimist Building, 11092 NW County Rd 41
_______________
Henry
Clinton
1/22/2026: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Clinton First Baptist Church Downtown, 209 E Jefferson St
1/23/2026: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Clinton First Baptist Church Downtown, 209 E Jefferson St
_______________
Jackson
Blue Springs
1/23/2026: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 301 SW Woods Chapel Road
Lake Lotawana
1/23/2026: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Lake Lotawana Community Club, 9621 Lake Shore Dr
Lees Summit
1/27/2026: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Lee’s Summit Medical Center, 2100 SE Blue Pkwy
2/2/2026: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Re/Max Elite, 1201 NE Windsor drive
2/3/2026: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Summit Ridge Medical Plaza, 600 NW Murray Rd
Lee’s Summit
1/21/2026: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Sano Orthopedics-Lee’s Summit, 2861 NE Independence Ave
_______________
Johnson
Whiteman Air Force Base
1/28/2026: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Whiteman AFB- Deployment Center, 750 Arnold Ave, Building 705
_______________
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
