SAN DIEGO, September 15, 2026 — The American Red Cross announced its LifeBlood Fund, a five-year, $300 million national effort to strengthen and modernize the nation’s blood supply — ensuring that every patient in the United States has access to lifesaving blood when and where it is needed.

To help steer this effort, dedicated Red Cross volunteers Teresa and Byron Pollitt will co-chair the campaign committee, bringing decades of support to this mission-critical initiative. In addition to guiding the campaign’s strategy and fundraising efforts, the Pollitts are making an extraordinary investment of $15 million.

"Despite all of the advances in modern medicine, there is still no substitute for human blood,” said Byron Pollitt. “The Red Cross relies 100% on volunteer, unpaid donors to give blood for the benefit of others, and it’s up to us as individuals and institutions to support the Red Cross effort.”

“Getting blood from a donor to a patient isn’t as simple as people might think. The amount of sophisticated equipment for testing and some of the rare donor programs is a highly technical process that needs a lot of investment,” said Teresa Pollitt. “No one ever knows when the need is going to be there — whether it’s you or a loved one or someone you don’t know — but the need is always there.”

Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood, and the Red Cross provides nearly 40% of the nation’s supply. However, mounting pressures — including extreme weather disruptions to blood drives and long-term demographic shifts — are widening the gap between supply and demand.

The Red Cross projects that these challenges could be ongoing as the demand for blood is expected to increase 12% by 2030. At the same time, the donor base has declined by 40% over the past 20 years, stretching the current blood supply beyond sustainable limits. This campaign aims to address these urgent challenges, including rising hospital demand, fewer donors, increasing costs and aging infrastructure. Through expanded donor engagement, advanced technology and modernized facilities, the initiative will strengthen the Red Cross capacity to collect and deliver lifesaving blood.

“Teresa and Byron Pollitt exemplify the best of volunteer leadership,” said Sean Mahoney Regional CEO, American Red Cross of Southern California Region. “Thanks to their strategic guidance, this campaign is laying the foundation to strengthen the nation’s blood supply and will ensure patients receive the lifesaving care they need.”

Teresa Pollitt has been a committed donor to the American Red Cross for more than 30 years. She is also a passionate blood donor and a member of the Tiffany Circle National Council, the distinguished leadership body that helps guide the strategy and direction of the Tiffany Circle, a community of female philanthropic leaders. In the spring of 2024, she and her husband, Byron, received the American Red Cross Harriman Award for Distinguished Volunteer Service, recognizing extraordinary contributions that extend beyond local communities. Teresa recently concluded her tenure as Board Chair of the American Red Cross San Diego and Imperial Counties Chapter, where she continues to serve on the Board of Directors.

Byron Pollitt has been a blood donor for more than 30 years and a Red Cross volunteer for more than two decades. He began his volunteer service in California as a chapter board member in Orange County and later in San Francisco, holding numerous leadership roles, including Treasurer, Chair of the Finance Committee, and Vice Chair of the Board. In 2015, Byron was elected to the Finance Commission of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, where he served as Vice Chair for four years. Since 2020, he has served as a Senior Executive Advisor to the International Services Division of the American Red Cross.

The LifeBlood Fund is bringing together a distinguished group of philanthropic leaders to advise on strategy, elevate awareness and secure transformational support that will sustain the blood supply for generations to come. In addition to Teresa and Byron Pollitt, committee members include:

Susan Baker, The Betty Bazar Foundation
Erica Dayton, The Golisano Foundation
Tad Hutcheson, Delta Air Lines
Elissa Gifford
Brenda L. Johnson
Barb Malott Kizziah and Keith Kizziah
Teresa Nacarato
Kevin and Patricia Terrazas

The American Red Cross invites individuals, foundations and organizations to join this effort to strengthen the nation’s blood system and ensure that every patient receives the care they depend on. Learn more about the LifeBlood Fund and schedule an appointment to give blood today.

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.

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