Media contact: Keith Paul
Regional Communications Director
keith.paul@redcross.org | 702-400-7680
SALT LAKE CITY (Dec. 30, 2025) — This week marks the end of an era for blood donors in Greater Salt Lake and Northern Utah. On Tuesday, Dec. 30, and Wednesday, Dec. 31, the American Red Cross Bloodmobile will host its final blood drives in the region before relocating to St. George. The drives, part of the Wendy’s Combo for a Cause campaign, will be the last opportunity for local donors to give blood on the mobile unit.
The Red Cross Bloodmobile has long helped bring blood donation directly to communities across Greater Salt Lake and Northern Utah but evolving collection needs and donor habits are prompting a shift. Beginning in 2026, the Red Cross in Greater Salt Lake and Northern Utah will rely more heavily on fixed-site blood donation centers and community-hosted blood drives, which provide consistent access and greater capacity to support hospitals year-round.
“The Bloodmobile has played an important role in serving donors across Greater Salt Lake and Northern Utah,” said Heidi Ruster, Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross Utah/Nevada Region. “As we look ahead, expanding fixed-site donation centers allows us to better meet patient needs and continue serving communities throughout the region.”
Wendy’s Combo for a Cause Blood Drives
The final two Wendy’s Combo for a Cause Blood Drives will serve as a sendoff for the Red Cross Bloodmobile in Greater Salt Lake and Northern Utah. As part of the campaign, donors who give blood at either drive will receive a coupon for a free Wendy’s combo meal as a thank-you for their donation.
Donors can bid farewell to the Bloodmobile at the following Wendy’s locations:
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). Use sponsor code Wendys to book an appointment for these drives. The blood drives are sponsored by The Flynn Group, which operates more than 2,600 restaurants and health clubs globally, including 50 Wendy’s locations in Utah.
Blood Donors Rewarded
Donors who give between Dec. 19, 2025, and Jan. 4, 2026, will receive an exclusive Red Cross long-sleeved T-shirt, while supplies last. See RedCrossBlood.org/Gifts for details. Additionally, those who donate between Jan. 1-25, 2026, will be automatically entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LX in the San Francisco Bay Area. For more details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl.
A Legacy on Wheels: The History of the Bloodmobile
Red Cross Bloodmobiles date back to World War II, when the first mobile blood donation units were introduced in 1941 to support large-scale blood collection efforts, including the Blood for Britain campaign. These self-contained donation centers on wheels expanded access by bringing blood donation directly to communities, playing a key role in building the nation’s blood supply for decades.
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.
