Media contact: Keith Paul
Regional Communications Director
keith.paul@redcross.org | 702-400-7680
LAS VEGAS (Oct. 2, 2026) — The American Red Cross of Southern Nevada today announced a $7.047 million contribution from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that will strengthen blood collection, expand work supporting people living with sickle cell disease and increase Red Cross disaster response capacity in Nevada and across the country.
The gift includes $2.937 million for Blood Services medical equipment, $2 million for the Red Cross Sickle Cell Initiative, $800,000 for 50 new Power Red collection machines, $710,000 toward improvements and expansion of the Red Cross Utah/Nevada Region blood laboratory and $600,000 for four emergency response vehicles.
In addition to the more than $7 million contribution, the Church is providing $850,000 to support the Red Cross disaster relief operation following Super Typhoon Sinlaku in April.
“We’re incredibly grateful to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for its continued commitment to the Red Cross and the people we serve,” said Rachel Flanigan, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Southern Nevada Chapter. “This gift will have an impact here in Southern Nevada and across the country, helping us build our capacity to serve people every day and when disasters happen.”
Expanding Blood Collection and Sickle Cell Support
The largest portion of the donation will support Red Cross Blood Services through investments in medical equipment, including 50 new Power Red collection machines. Power Red equipment allows eligible donors to give two units of red blood cells during a single donation while their plasma and platelets are returned to them.
The contribution also includes $2 million for the American Red Cross Sickle Cell Initiative, which helps increase the availability of closely matched blood for people living with sickle cell disease. Since the initiative began in 2021, the Red Cross has increased the number of Black or African American blood donors by more than 89%, while the number of blood donations made by those donors that are used to support people with sickle cell disease have increased 91%.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to strengthen the American Red Cross’s ability to care for people facing serious illness and communities recovering from disasters,” said Bishop W. Christopher Waddell, Presiding Bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “As followers of Jesus Christ, we seek to care for our neighbors, lift burdens and bring hope to individuals and families in times of need.”
Strengthening Red Cross Services in Nevada and Nationwide
Additionally, the donation will fund four new Red Cross emergency response vehicles. These vehicles are deployed into communities following disasters, allowing Red Cross volunteers to deliver meals, water, relief supplies and information directly to neighborhoods where help is needed.
A Century-Long Partnership
The relationship between the American Red Cross and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints dates to the late 1800s, when Red Cross founder Clara Barton and Relief Society President Emmeline B. Wells corresponded about humanitarian aid during the Spanish-American War. Their work assembling comfort kits for soldiers helped lead to the formation of the Salt Lake City chapter of the Red Cross.
The Church held its first Red Cross blood drive in 1996 and has since become the largest single contributor to American Red Cross blood drives. Last year, Church members donated more than 94,100 units of blood through nearly 3,000 drives.
The Church has also provided substantial financial support for Red Cross programs. In 2025, it donated $5.1 million to support blood collection equipment and programs supporting people with sickle cell disease. In 2024, the Church contributed $7.35 million to support blood donation efforts, disaster response and other Red Cross programs.
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.
