Media Contact: Taylor Poisall
(559) 513-1656 | Taylor.poisall2@redcross.org

CAMARILLO, Jan. 5, 2026 — The American Red Cross is teetering on a blood shortage this winter, which could lead to a disruption in lifesaving care. Donors are urged to make an appointment to give blood or platelets now.

The Red Cross blood supply is under pressure following a busy holiday season when winter weather and packed schedules made it even tougher to ensure hospitals have the blood products needed for critical care. Without immediate action, doctors may have to make difficult decisions about which patients receive blood transfusions and who will need to wait. Donors with types O, A negative and B negative blood are especially needed now.

Don’t wait – make an appointment to give blood now by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

For the seventh year, the Red Cross and the National Football League (NFL) are partnering in January for National Blood Donor Month to urge individuals to kick off 2026 with a blood donation. As a thank-you to donors for helping address the need for blood during the critical post-holiday time, those who come to give Jan. 1-25, 2026, will be automatically entered for a chance to win an exciting Super Bowl LX giveaway. The winner and guest will get to enjoy Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California, 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. For full details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl.

Join a lifesaving team
The Red Cross and Pro Football Champion and blood donor Saquon Barkley are teaming up to remind donors that the best offense against a winter blood shortage is making and keeping blood donation appointments. The blood supply can drop quickly – now’s the time to get in the game and give blood.

"I gave blood once in college and that was the only time I had ever been asked to give, until the Red Cross reached out this fall,” said Barkley. “It was a no-brainer for me to give again. It only takes about an hour and once you realize in that short amount of time how much help it can bring – it’s a beautiful thing."

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Jan. 5-31: Ventura County

Camarillo
1/6/2026: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., American Red Cross Betty R Plotkin Center, 836 Calle Plano
1/9/2026: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., St Mary Magdalen Church, 25 Las Posas Road
1/13/2026: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., VCCF Nonprofit Center, 4001 Mission Oaks Blvd
1/15/2026: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Spanish Hills Club, 999 Crestview Avenue
1/20/2026: 7 a.m. - 1 p.m., American Red Cross Betty R Plotkin Center, 836 Calle Plano
1/20/2026: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., American Red Cross Betty R Plotkin Center, 836 Calle Plano
1/26/2026: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Avalon, 1571 Flynn Road
1/29/2026: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., American Red Cross Betty R Plotkin Center, 836 Calle Plano

Oxnard
1/8/2026: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Bay, 2101 Mandalay Beach Rd
1/10/2026: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Church for the Nations Oxnard, 270 W 5th St
1/25/2026: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Mary Star of the Sea, 463 W Pleasant Valley

Port Hueneme
1/16/2026: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., US Navy Seabee Museum, Bldg 100, 3201 S Ventura Rd, NBVC PH Bldg 100

Simi Valley
1/9/2026: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Rancho Santa Susana Community Center, 5005 Los Angeles Ave
1/17/2026: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Rancho Santa Susana Community Center, 5005 Los Angeles Ave
1/22/2026: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, 40 Presidential Drive
1/23/2026: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Rancho Santa Susana Community Center, 5005 Los Angeles Ave
1/30/2026: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Rancho Santa Susana Community Center, 5005 Los Angeles Ave
1/31/2026: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Rancho Santa Susana Community Center, 5005 Los Angeles Ave

Thousand Oaks
1/5/2026: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Thousand Oaks Inn, 75 W Thousand Oaks Blvd
1/7/2026: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Thousand Oaks Inn, 75 W Thousand Oaks Blvd
1/14/2026: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Thousand Oaks Inn, 75 W Thousand Oaks Blvd
1/19/2026: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Thousand Oaks Inn, 75 W Thousand Oaks Blvd
1/21/2026: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Thousand Oaks Inn, 75 W Thousand Oaks Blvd
1/27/2026: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., JRP Design & Remodel, 2469 Townsgate Rd, Suite #600
1/28/2026: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Thousand Oaks Inn, 75 W Thousand Oaks Blvd

Ventura
1/2/2026: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Pacific View Mall, 3301 E Main St
1/13/2026: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Knights of Columbus, 36 S. Figueroa St.
1/27/2026: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Knights of Columbus, 36 S. Figueroa St.

How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

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.