Media contact: Keith Paul
Regional Communications Director
keith.paul@redcross.org | 702-400-7680
SALT LAKE CITY (Dec. 16, 2025) — December is National Giving Month, a nationwide celebration of generosity that encourages giving through acts of kindness, volunteering and charitable contributions throughout the holiday season. Blood and platelet donations through the American Red Cross of Utah represent one of the most meaningful ways to give — providing hope, healing and lifesaving care for patients in need.
“Our blood supply depends entirely on volunteer donors, and there is no substitute when donations fall short,” said Heidi Ruster, Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross Utah/Nevada Region. “Each donation supports real patients in hospitals today, from trauma victims to cancer patients, and helps ensure care isn’t delayed during the busy holiday season.”
Make a Lifesaving Gift This Holiday Season
Create a meaningful holiday tradition by scheduling a blood or platelet donation appointment using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcross.org/GiveBlood or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Blood donations are urgently needed. Donors who give blood or platelets between Dec. 8 to 18, 2025, will receive a $15 Amazon Gift Card by email, and those who donate from Dec. 19, 2025, to Jan. 4, 2026, will receive an exclusive Red Cross long-sleeved T-shirt, while supplies last. For more details on these holiday offers, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Gifts.
Those unable to donate blood can still support the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross by making a financial contribution at redcross.org/Give or volunteering to help serve the community. Learn more about volunteer opportunities at redcross.org/volunteer.
Why Holiday Blood Donations Are Critical
As the holiday season approaches, blood donations often decline due to travel, celebrations and other seasonal activities — at the same time hospitals continue to care for patients requiring transfusions. Motor vehicle accidents and other emergencies also tend to rise during the winter months.
The American Red Cross supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood products, playing a vital role in ensuring hospitals have the resources they need. In Utah alone, nearly 45 hospitals rely on the Red Cross to provide blood for accident victims, cancer patients, mothers experiencing complications during childbirth and others facing life-threatening medical emergencies.
While all blood types are needed, the Red Cross is especially urging donations of O positive, O negative and B negative blood. O positive is the most frequently transfused blood type, compatible with 85% of patients. O negative is the universal type, used in emergency situations when there isn’t time to determine a patient’s blood type. B negative is rare, found in less than 2% of the population. Patients with B negative blood can only receive transfusions from B negative or O negative donors.
About National Giving Month
Observed each December, National Giving Month began as a grassroots effort to highlight generosity and community support during the holiday season. Inspired by Giving Tuesday and the spirit of year-end philanthropy, community leaders and nonprofits expanded the focus to encourage a full month of giving back. Over time, it has grown into a recognized movement, with organizations and communities across the country finding meaningful ways to make an impact through donations, volunteer efforts and other acts of service.
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.
