DENVER, Colo. (Aug. 24, 2026) — The American Red Cross urges people to celebrate the power of kindness by making an appointment to give lifesaving blood. Every donation is critical to helping prevent the next blood shortage.

The Red Cross and Hello Kitty® and Friends are partnering in September to remind donors that comfort and care are always better when shared. Just one blood donation can help more than one patient enjoy a happier future. As a thank-you, those who come to give Sept. 1-20, 2026, will get an exclusive Red Cross × Hello Kitty plush mascot clip and surprise sticker pack, while supplies last. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/HelloKitty.

Thanks to the generosity of thousands of people who rolled up a sleeve this summer, the blood supply continues to recover from critically low levels. As we enter September, the blood supply remains vulnerable — especially as we approach new seasonal challenges such as back-to-school activities that can cause donors to be less available to give, and the ongoing potential for tropical systems in the Atlantic, which can further threaten the blood supply by disrupting blood drives. By making and keeping appointments now, donors can help the Red Cross ensure lifesaving blood products are on hand wherever they are needed, including communities where donations may not be possible due to severe summer weather and natural disasters.

One small act of kindness can travel far. Spark joy and book a time to give blood by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.  

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Sept.1-20:

• American Red Cross, 444 N. Sherman St., Denver:
  • Mondays and Fridays in September, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    • Sept. 11 blood drive, sponsored by the Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce, will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Sept. 2, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Sept. 9, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Mile High Area:

• Bear Creek High School, 9800 W Dartmouth Place, Lakewood — Sept. 3, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Colorado Athletic Club - Flatirons, 505 Thunderbird Drive, Boulder — Sept. 3, 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Bear Valley Church of Christ, 2707 S. Lamar St., Denver — Sept. 4, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Farrell's Extreme Bodyshaping, 1547 S. Colorado Blvd., Denver — Sept. 9, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Denver VA Regional Office, 155 Van Gordon St., Lakewood — Sept. 10, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Hudson Street Building, 740 Hudson St., Denver — Sept. 10, 1-6 p.m.
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Flanders Street Building, 3101 S. Flanders St., Aurora — Sept. 10, 1-6 p.m.
• Arvada City Hall, 8101 Ralston Road, Arvada — Sept. 11, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Brighton Elks Lodge 1586, 101 N. Main St., Brighton — Sept. 14, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• American Legion Post 11-11, 9959 Wadsworth Blvd., Broomfield — Sept. 15, 1-6 p.m.
• Southridge Recreation Center, 4800 McArthur Ranch Road, Highlands Ranch — Sept. 16, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Northglenn Senior Center - Parsons Theater Entrance, 1 E. Memorial Parkway, Northglenn — Sept. 16, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Littleton Stake Center, 1939 E. Easter Ave., Centennial — Sept. 16, 1-6 p.m.
• DSST: Green Valley Ranch High School, 4800 Telluride St., Denver — Sept. 17, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• O'Meara Ford, 400 W. 104th Ave., Northglenn — Sept. 17, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Evergreen Public Library, 5000 County Highway 73, Evergreen — Sept. 18, 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Northern Colorado:

• Raintree Athletic Club, 2555 S. Shields St., Fort Collins — Sept. 1, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Eagles Peak Colorado, 500 Apex Drive, Windsor — Sept. 1, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Embassy Suites Loveland, 4705 Clydesdale Parkway, Loveland — Sept. 8, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• American Legion Post 4, 2124 W. County Road 54G, Fort Collins — Sept. 11, 12-5 p.m.  

Southern Colorado:

• American Red Cross of Southern Colorado, 1040 S. 8th St., Colorado Springs — Sept. 8, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Pikes Peak Library 21c, 1175 Chapel Hills Drive, Colorado Springs — Sept. 15, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Widefield High School, 615 Widefield Drive, Colorado Springs — Sept. 17, 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. 

About Sanrio:

Sanrio® is the global lifestyle brand and home to Hello Kitty®, created in 1974, and many other beloved character brands such as My Melody™, Kuromi™, LittleTwinStars™, Cinnamoroll™, Pompompurin™, gudetama™, Aggretsuko™, Chococat™, Badtz-Maru™ and Keroppi™. Sanrio was founded on the philosophy that a small gift can bring happiness and friendship to people of all ages. Since 1960, this philosophy has served as the inspiration to offer quality products, services and activities that promote communication and inspire unique consumer experiences across the world. Today, Sanrio's business extends into the entertainment industry with several content series, gaming offerings and theme parks. Sanrio boasts an extensive product lineup which is available in over 130 countries. Sanrio hopes to bring smiles to everyone's faces with their vision of "One World, Connecting Smiles." To learn more about Sanrio, please visit www.sanrio.com and follow @sanrio and @hellokitty on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Pinterest and subscribe to the Hello Kitty and Friends YouTube Channel.