DENVER, Colo. (Oct. 7, 2026) — In October, the American Red Cross asks people to book a time to give blood to help keep the blood supply as strong as possible this fall. The seasons may change, but the need for blood is constant. Donors of all blood types are being called on to roll up a sleeve and give hope to hospital patients who rely on transfusions.

While October can be a shoulder season between severe summer and winter weather, it is often unpredictable. When the blood supply is stable, blood products can be moved wherever and whenever they are needed — even in the face of natural disasters. A single appointment could help provide hope and healing for patients in your community and across the country.

Don't wait. Make an appointment today and keep it on the calendar. Visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App to schedule a donation appointment. Those who come to give Sept. 21-Oct. 18, 2026, will receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice. See RedCrossBlood.org/Fall for details.

All who come to give Oct. 19-Nov. 22, 2026, will get up to $20 in Gift Cards ─ that's a $10 Amazon Gift Card by email and 500 bonus points, which can be redeemed for a $10 e-gift card through Blood Donor Rewards! Visit RedCrossBlood.org/Maze for details.  

Upcoming blood donation opportunities, Oct. 7-31: 

• American Red Cross, 444 N. Sherman St., Denver:
  • Mondays and Fridays in September, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    • Oct. 16 drive will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    • Oct. 23 drive will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Mile High Area:

• Equipment Share Training Building, 15427 E. Fremont Drive, Centennial - Oct. 7, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Trail Winds Recreation Center, 13495 Holly St., Thornton - Oct. 7, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada - Oct. 8, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 7077 Harvest Road, Boulder - Oct. 9, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Denver Health Medical Center Pavilion C, 777 Bannock St., Denver - Oct. 12, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Porsche Littleton, 5500 S Broadway, Littleton - Oct. 13, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Boulder Mennonite Church, 3910 Table Mesa Drive, Boulder - Oct. 13, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Vectra Bank Colorado, 7222 E. Layton Ave., Denver - Oct. 14, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Wolhurst Adult Community Clubhouse, 8201 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton - Oct. 14, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Malibu Jack’s Thornton, 10001 Grant St., Thornton - Oct. 14, 12-5 p.m.
• Centennial Airport Hangar Office Space, 7565 S. Peoria St., Englewood - Oct. 15, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Rocket Lab, 7810 Shaffer Parkway, Littleton - Oct. 20, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Meadows Library, 4800 Baseline Road, Boulder - Oct. 21, 12:30-5 p.m.
• Galen College of Nursing - Aurora, 1650 S. Potomac St., Aurora - Oct. 22, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport, 11755 Airport Way, Broomfield - Oct. 22, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Trails Recreation Center, 16799 E. Lake Ave., Centennial - Oct. 26, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• American Legion Post 32, 315 S. Bowen St., Longmont - Oct. 27, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• B'nai Havurah - Denver Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation, 6445 E. Ohio Ave., Denver - Oct. 28, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Living Savior Lutheran Church, 8050 W. Coal Mine Ave., Littleton - Oct. 29, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Our Savior Lutheran Church, 6770 Monaco St., Commerce City - Oct. 30, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  

Northern Colorado:

• Avenida at Centerra, 3903 E. 15th St., Loveland - Oct. 8, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Antioch Community Church, 608 E. Drake Road, Fort Collins - Oct. 10, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Haxtun Community Center, 125 E. Wilson St., Haxtun - Oct. 13, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Yuma High School, 1000 S. Albany St., Yuma - Oct. 14, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Kaiser Permanente - Fort Collins, 2950 E. Harmony Road, Fort Collins - Oct. 16, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• American Legion Post 70 - Lester William March, 7565 E. S. 1st St., Johnstown - Oct. 20, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Christ United Methodist Church, 104 S. 4th St., Sterling - Oct. 22, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Viegut Funeral Home, 1616 N. Lincoln Ave., Loveland - Oct. 27, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Idalia School, 26845 County Road 9.2, Idalia - Oct. 30, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.  

Southern Colorado:

• Norwood Development Group, 111 S. Tejon St., Suite 113, Colorado Springs - Oct. 8, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• VFW Post 4051, 6523 N. Academy Blvd., Colorado Springs - Oct. 12, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• American Red Cross of Southern Colorado, 1040 S. 8th St., Colorado Springs - Oct. 20, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Zeal Church, 755 Citadel Drive West, Colorado Springs - Oct. 21, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• VFW Post 6461, 753 S. Santa Fe Ave., Fountain - Oct. 26, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Pikes Peak Library 21c, 1175 Chapel Hills Drive, Colorado Springs - Oct. 27, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Vista Grande Community Church UCC, 5460 N. Union Blvd., Colorado Springs - Oct. 28, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  

How to donate blood 

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) 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 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.