Media contact: Keith Paul
Regional Communications Director
keith.paul@redcross.org | 702-400-7680
LAS VEGAS (March 24, 2026) — The 12th annual Red Cross Giving Day on March 25 comes after months of relentless disaster response across the country, with winter storms, flooding and wildfires driving high demand for shelter, meals and other emergency support. Disaster relief donations help the American Red Cross of Southern Nevada train volunteers, stock relief supplies and prepare for the next emergency.
On March 25, Ford Philanthropy will match donations made at redcross.org/givingday up to a total of $250,000. Those who miss Giving Day will have another opportunity March 26, when an anonymous donor will match gifts up to a total of $100,000.
“Giving Day is about readiness,” said Rachel Flanigan, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Southern Nevada Chapter. “It supports the work that has to happen before and during a disaster, from preparing teams to opening shelters.”
How Giving Day Supports Disaster Relief
Giving Day donations help the Red Cross train volunteers, stock relief supplies, maintain vehicles and equipment, open shelters quickly and provide food, shelter and other support when emergencies disrupt lives. The need has remained high in 2026. In January alone, severe winter storms across multiple states led the Red Cross to provide more meals and snacks than during the record-breaking Los Angeles wildfires a year earlier.
In February, the Red Cross opened more than 100 shelters nationwide for families displaced by winter storms, flooding and wildfires. In 2025, the Red Cross provided more than $130 million in financial assistance nationwide to help families rebuild after disasters.
In Southern Nevada, Red Cross teams have responded to 1,625 home fires since 2020, helping 7,294 people with emergency assistance. In 2025, Red Cross volunteers responded to 265 home fires and assisted 1,218 people. Southern Nevada volunteers also installed more than 2,600 free smoke alarms, supported more than 750 blood drives and deployed to every major disaster response nationwide, contributing more than 8,500 hours.
How Giving Day Supports Blood Donation
Making a blood donation is another way to support the Red Cross on Giving Day. Storms and other disasters can cancel blood drives and close donation centers in the hardest-hit areas, cutting collections while hospitals still need blood for surgeries, trauma care and other medical treatment. Severe winter storms across the country this year have already canceled more than 750 Red Cross blood drives, leading to more than 20,000 uncollected blood and platelet donations.
Blood donation appointments can be made through the Red Cross Blood Donor App, by visiting redcross.org/GiveBlood or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). In March 2026, the Red Cross is providing free A1C testing on successful blood, platelet and plasma donations. Those who come to give March 1-31, 2026, will also receive a $15 Amazon gift card by email. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/March.
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.
