PORTLAND, FEBRUARY 25, 2025 — The Cascades Region of the Red Cross is celebrating Red Cross Month in March by helping to bridge access to health care by providing free A1C testing, commonly used to screen for diabetes and prediabetes, on all successful blood, platelet and plasma donations.

Diabetes affects 1 in 10 people and nearly a quarter of those living with it have been undiagnosed, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The free A1C screening aims to help address this gap by empowering blood donors with valuable information to maintain their health and well-being.

Successful blood donors can expect to receive the results of their test within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App or online donor portal, and they are encouraged to consult their health care provider if their A1C level is elevated. A1C is the latest health insight that the Red Cross provides to blood, platelet and plasma donors, who can already access information such as pulse, blood pressure, body temperature and hemoglobin levels.

The need for blood is great right now. Dangerous snow and ice conditions continue to stretch across the nation, resulting in 25,000 blood and platelet donations uncollected since the beginning of the year---a number already closing in on the total number of uncollected donations due to the weather for all of 2024.

In the Cascades Region alone, we’ve seen the cancellation of over 40 blood drives because of recent storms, resulting more than 1,200 blood and platelet donations going uncollected.  By making an appointment now, donors can keep crucial blood products available in the weeks ahead for patients who need them.

Visit RedCrossBlood.org, use the Red Cross Blood Donor App or call 1-800-RED CROSS to book a time to give in March and learn more about your health. Additionally, all who come to give blood, platelets or plasma March 1-31 will receive a $10 Amazon.comGift Card by email. See redcrossblood.org/March for details on both offers. 

You can also make a financial donation at redcross.org/GivingDay on March 26 to support people with disaster services such as emergency shelter, food, relief supplies, basic health care, emotional support and financial assistance.

Both efforts are part of our Red Cross Month activities in March, which include the lighting of the Morrison Bridge in Portland March 21st  through the 27th to put a red spotlight on the work that we are doing.

Contact:

Isabel Anderson
Red Cross Communications Manager
(206) 640-5388
Isabel.anderson@Redcross.org

About Red Cross Month:

Our annual Red Cross Month celebration began more than 80 years ago when President Franklin

Roosevelt issued the first national Red Cross Month proclamation. More than 140 years ago, American Red Cross founder Clara Barton shared her vision to prevent and alleviate human suffering and that spirit has never wavered. Today, our work is powered by 90% volunteers, along with generous financial and blood donors, community partners, and people trained in vital health and safety skills. This year’s Red Cross Month culminates with Red Cross Giving Day on March 26 — which aims to rally 30,000 supporters to help ensure families don’t face disasters alone.

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 and is the primary blood supplier to 65 hospitals throughout Washington and Oregon; 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.