NAPLES, Fla. — The American Red Cross today 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.

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.

To help guide this effort, dedicated Red Cross philanthropist Erica Dayton, Executive Director of The Golisano Foundation will serve on the campaign committee alongside a distinguished group of volunteers.

• Susan Baker, The Betty Bazar Foundation
• Tad Hutcheson, Delta Air Lines
• Elissa Gifford
• Brenda L. Johnson
• Barb Malott Kizziah and Keith Kizziah
• Teresa Nacarato
• Teresa and Byron Pollitt, campaign co-chairs
• Kevin and Patricia Terrazas

“Erica Dayton exemplifies the power of volunteer leadership and the impact that dedicated partners can have on advancing the Red Cross mission,” said Krista Coletti, Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross South Florida Region. “Through her service on the LifeBlood Campaign Committee, Erica is helping strengthen the nation's blood supply and ensure patients continue to receive lifesaving care when they need it most. We are also honored to celebrate Tom Golisano, the first American Red Cross Chairman's Council member from Naples, Florida, whose extraordinary leadership and philanthropy continue to inspire support for our humanitarian mission across South Florida and beyond.”

Erica Dayton assumed leadership of the Golisano Foundation in 2023, after joining the organization in 2019 as Grants Manager. She brings more than 15 years of experience in the nonprofit and grant administration sector, with a strong record of advancing inclusion, accessibility and empowerment across communities.

In her role as Director, Erica plays a central part in coordinating Tom Golisano’s personal philanthropy, including several transformative initiatives. These include the 2025 creation of the Golisano Children’s Alliance, uniting 15 children’s hospitals across the United States that bear the Golisano name, and the historic $500 million in unrestricted giving to 125 nonprofit organizations in 2024 including the American Red Cross of Western New York, supporting education, health, disability services, animal welfare, and community causes across Upstate New York and Southwest Florida.

Under Erica’s leadership, the Golisano Foundation has received a significant infusion of $52 million from Mr. Golisano, increasing its total assets to approximately $120 million. This growth has expanded the Foundation’s annual grantmaking capacity to over $5 million to nonprofits serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and advancing animal welfare in Western New York and Southwest Florida.

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.