Media contact: Keith Paul
Regional Communications Director
keith.paul@redcross.org | 702-400-7680
SALT LAKE CITY (Feb. 28, 2026) — The American Red Cross of Utah is offering free A1C testing to blood donors throughout March, giving people a chance to support the blood supply while learning about their blood sugar levels and diabetes risk. The added screening comes as new Red Cross data shows that 1 in 5 donors tested last year had elevated A1C levels.
New Red Cross data suggests many blood donors may be unaware they are at risk for diabetes. The findings are based on the first year of free A1C screening offered by the Red Cross, which provided results to more than 920,000 blood donors nationwide during three testing periods in 2025. Among donors with elevated A1C levels, 80% had readings in the prediabetic range, which often can be reversed or managed through lifestyle changes, including a healthy diet, regular exercise and weight management.
“At the Red Cross, blood donation not only helps patients in need but also provides donors with valuable insights into their own health,” said Benjamin Donner, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Central and Southern Utah Chapter. “Offering free A1C screening in March gives Utah donors another reason to come in, support the blood supply and learn something important about their blood sugar levels.”
The Importance of A1C Testing
The A1C test does not require fasting and provides an average blood sugar level over the past three months. It can help identify prediabetes and diabetes, which often develop without obvious symptoms. Diabetes affects 1 in 10 Americans, yet nearly 25% of those with the condition remain undiagnosed, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Early detection allows people to make lifestyle changes, seek medical advice and potentially prevent serious complications such as heart disease or kidney failure.
Visit redcross.org/GiveBlood, use the Red Cross Blood Donor App or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to schedule a March donation appointment. All who come to give blood, platelets or plasma March 1-31, 2026, will also receive a $15 Amazon gift card by email. See RedCrossBlood.org/March for details.
How It Works
Free A1C testing will be available with successful blood, platelet and plasma donations made March 1-31, 2026, (one result per calendar year). Donors will receive their A1C result within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App or the online donor portal. Donors with elevated A1C results are advised to consult their health care provider.
Supporting Community Health
As the nation’s largest blood supplier, the Red Cross is uniquely positioned to help bridge existing health care gaps by providing blood donors with valuable health information. Through the Red Cross Blood Donor App and online donor portal, donors can track their results and share them with their health care provider.
In addition to A1C testing, donors also receive other health information collected during the donation process, including pulse, blood pressure, body temperature and hemoglobin levels.
These efforts are part of the broader Red Cross mission to support the health of communities. In Utah, that includes installing free smoke alarms in neighborhoods, providing basic health and mental health services to disaster survivors and supporting the well-being of military families.
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.
