Severe Winter Weather Intensifying Blood Shortage; More Than 7 Thousand Donations Uncollected Due to Winter Storm

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Red Cross volunteers Bill Casey (right) and Don Dailey (left) camped out at the Red Cross office in Tulsa during the winter storm to remove snow and ice so that blood and platelets could continue to be delivered to hospitals.

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Red Cross volunteers Bill Casey (right) and Don Dailey (left) camped out at the Red Cross office in Tulsa during the winter storm to remove snow and ice so that blood and platelets could continue to be delivered to hospitals.

January 26, 2026

News Summary:

The American Red Cross continues to experience a severe blood shortage as winter weather further impacts the ability to rebuild the blood supply.
The recent winter storm canceled approximately 200 blood drives, resulting in more than 7,000 blood and platelet donations to go uncollected in just three days.
More blood and platelet donors are needed now. Individuals who are not impacted by the storm are urged to give now to prevent disruptions in patient care. The Red Cross urges those in areas experiencing severe weather to give when it is safe for them to do so.

The American Red Cross continues to experience a severe blood shortage as winter weather further impacts the ability to rebuild the blood supply. Individuals who may be eligible are urged to give blood and platelets as soon as it is safe for them to travel to help ensure lifesaving medical procedures are not delayed.

The national blood supply remains at critically low levels. The recent storm impacting half the U.S. population has canceled blood drives in nearly every state where the Red Cross collects blood. As a result, approximately 200 blood drives have been canceled, and more than 7,000 blood and platelet donations have gone uncollected in just the last three days, from Jan. 23-26, with more cancelations expected due to freezing temperatures throughout much of the country. This is on top of the more than 400 blood drives canceled last month due to severe weather.

There’s no time to wait. Book an appointment now to give blood by using the Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). The Red Cross encourages everyone to be safe, and to make an appointment to donate as soon as it is safe to travel. Those who are not impacted by the storm are urged to donate immediately.

Red Cross employees and volunteers are working hard to ensure blood is available to patients who need it, regardless of weather. Red Cross volunteers Bill Casey and Don Dailey camped out at the Red Cross office in Tulsa, OK during the winter storm to be ready to remove snow and ice so that blood and platelets could be delivered to hospitals. The two slept at the office overnight on Friday, then got to work at 3 a.m. Saturday plowing the parking lots and roadways to ensure delivery of lifesaving blood.

Snow, ice and extreme temperatures can make it tougher to move vital blood products across the Red Cross network, affecting deliveries to hospitals in some locations. With more winter weather possible in the days and weeks ahead, more donors are needed as soon as it is safe for them to travel.

Read more about how the Red Cross is responding to the winter storm across multiple states.

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.