By: Don Hawkins

you’ve been to a blood drive, or watched coverage from a blood drive, you’ve probably heard the term “Power Red” used, but might not know what that means. A Power Red donation is a way to make your donation go farther as each Power Red donation counts as double the amount possible to donate during a whole blood donation.

To do a Power Red donation a special machine is needed as, through the process, the donor’s red blood cells are separated from the white blood cells. The red blood cells go into a donation bag, while the white blood cells mix with a saline solution and get returned to the donor.

 he American Red Cross is adding more opportunities for blood donors to make Power Red donations, with a target that 30% of all red blood cell blood donations to come from Power Red donations by 2030, and to reach that goal each blood collecting region is adding Power Red machines.

In 2026 the Central & Southern Ohio Region added five machines, bringing the region total to 28, with more additions planned in the coming years as we target that 30% goal. For more information on the Power Red donation process and to see one as it was happening watch the clip below.