DENVER, Colo. (Jan. 20, 2026) — The American Red Cross is facing a severe blood shortage as requests from hospitals exceed the available supply of blood, leading to about a 35% drawdown of blood products in the past month. Individuals are urged to give now so patients don’t face delays in lifesaving care. The shortage is especially serious for types O, A negative and B negative blood.

High flu activity in nearly every state may be sidelining donors, slowing efforts to rebuild the Red Cross national blood supply. At the same time, hospitals already feeling the strain of the worst flu season in nearly 20 years are now also forced to triage critical blood products. Without immediate action, patients who count on transfusions — including trauma victims, mothers in childbirth and people with sickle cell disease or cancer — face serious risk. 

There’s no time to wait — book an appointment to give blood now by using the Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). 

As a thank-you to donors for helping tackle the blood shortage, those who come to give through Jan. 25, 2026, will be automatically entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LX in the San Francisco Bay Area. The winner and guest will receive two tickets to Super Bowl LX, 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. See RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl for details.

All who come to give Jan. 26-Feb. 28, 2026, will receive a $20 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. See RedCrossBlood.org/Heart for details.

Weather disrupts vital donations

About 400 blood drives were impacted due to extreme winter weather last month alone — more than three times the number of blood drives impacted during the same time the previous year. As a result, thousands of blood donations have gone uncollected. With intense winter weather and freezing temperatures expected across much of the country in the coming weeks, more blood drives could potentially be delayed or canceled at a time when every unit of blood could be the difference for doctors facing difficult choices about which patients receive blood transfusions and who will need to wait.

“Winter always puts pressure on the blood supply, and this year widespread flu and rough weather are making it even tougher,” said Paul Sullivan, senior vice president of Red Cross donor services. “If you’re able, now’s a great time to make and keep blood donation appointments, during National Blood Donor Month. Every donation can be a lifeline for a patient who isn’t able to hold off on critical care.”

Who donations help  

Blood donations like yours help those in need like Juno. In 2020, Juno — the 8-year-old daughter of Derek Christian — was diagnosed with an especially rare and aggressive form of leukemia. After two years of intense treatment, Juno finally came home. Throughout her time in the hospital, she had received close to a hundred units of blood.

The kindness of donors who helped Juno in her time of need wasn’t lost on Derek. Alongside the gym he frequently worked out at during Juno’s treatment, Raintree Athletic Club in Fort Collins, a blood drive was held to help others give the gift of life to those in need across the Front Range and beyond.

Donations also helped Jasmine and Jordan Davis, both born with sickle cell disease. Jasmine and Jordan and received many blood transfusions and red blood cell exchanges as young children to relieve the pain of sickle cell, until they were old enough to receive stem cell transplants from donors. Even with the successful transplants, Jasmine and Jordan needed blood and platelet donations during post-transplant recoveries that lasted several months.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities in Colorado, Jan. 20-Feb. 3: 

• American Red Cross, 444 N. Sherman St., Denver – Every Monday and Friday in January and February, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Pikes Peak Library 21c, 1175 Chapel Hills Drive, Colorado Springs – Jan. 20, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
• Rocket Lab, 7810 Shaffer Parkway, Littleton – Jan. 21, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• East Community Center, 5933 S. Fairfield St., Littleton – Jan. 22, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Manual High School, 1700 E. 28th Ave., Denver – Jan. 23, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• RK Industries Henderson, 8221 E. 96th Ave., Henderson – Jan. 23, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Back Office by Buyers Edge Platform, 1101 W. Mineral Ave., Littleton – Jan. 26, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Courtyard Park Meadows, 8320 S. Valley Highway, Englewood – Jan. 27, 8:30 a.m. to 1 30 p.m.
• University Park United Methodist Church, 2180 S University Blvd., Denver – Jan. 27, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Red Cross of Southern Colorado, 1040 S. 8th St., Colorado Springs – Jan. 28, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 
• City of Commerce City, 7190 Colorado Blvd., Commerce City – Jan. 29, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Widefield High School, 615 Widefield Drive, Colorado Springs – Jan. 29, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 
• Hotel Polaris, 8989 N. Gate Blvd., Colorado Springs (U.S. Air Force Academy) – Feb. 2, 12-5 p.m. 
• Porsche Littleton, 5500 S. Broadway, Littleton – Feb. 3, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 9200 W. 10th Ave., Lakewood – Feb. 3, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC, 1700 N. Wheeling St., Aurora – Feb. 3, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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.