Media contact: Keith Paul
Regional Communications Director
keith.paul@redcross.org | 702-400-7680
SALT LAKE CITY (Sept. 4, 2026) — Today is National Blood Donation Day, and the American Red Cross of Utah is asking Utahns to make and keep blood and platelet donation appointments to help prevent the national blood supply from slipping back to the critically low levels seen this summer. National Blood Donation Week continues through Sept. 7 as the Red Cross works to maintain the blood supply heading into fall.
The national blood crisis declared by the Red Cross in late July, only the second in the organization’s history, has eased after thousands of donors responded. However, the blood supply remains vulnerable and continued donations are needed to keep pace with hospital demand. The Red Cross must collect more than 13,000 blood donations each day to meet the needs of patients at hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide.
“Blood Donation Day is a reminder that blood has to be collected, tested and available before a patient needs it,” said Benjamin Donner, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Central and Southern Utah Chapter. “Thousands of donors helped improve the blood supply after a difficult summer, but that progress depends on people continuing to make and keep donation appointments. Every day, patients depend on donors they may never meet.”
Utah donors play an important role in maintaining the blood supply. During the first seven months of 2026, the Red Cross held 2,442 blood drives across Utah and collected 84,511 units of blood, helping provide blood products for patients in Utah and across the country.
National Blood Donation Day comes at a time when maintaining the blood supply can be challenging. Back-to-school activities and changing routines can make donors less available, while severe weather and natural disasters can disrupt blood drives.
Give Blood Now
Appointments to give blood or platelets 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).
Red Cross × Hello Kitty® and Friends
Those who come to give blood or platelets Sept. 1-20, 2026, will receive an exclusive Red Cross × Hello Kitty® plush mascot clip and surprise sticker pack, while supplies last. The Red Cross and Hello Kitty® and Friends are teaming up this September to bring a little extra kindness to blood donation while helping keep the blood supply strong. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/HelloKitty.
About National Blood Donation Day
National Blood Donation Day is observed annually on Sept. 4 to raise awareness about the need for a consistent blood supply. The effort began in Nevada in 2015 when Las Vegas physician and nationally syndicated radio host Dr. Daliah Wachs advocated for Nevada Blood Donation Day. She expanded the initiative nationally in 2016, working to enlist governors across the country in recognizing Sept. 4 as National Blood Donation Day.
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.
