SEATTLE, Jan. 20, 2026 — The American Red Cross is facing a severe blood shortage as requests from hospitals exceed the available supply of blood, leading to about a 35% drawdown of blood products in the past month. Individuals are urged to give now so patients don’t face delays in lifesaving care. The shortage is especially serious for platelets, types O, A negative and B negative blood.  

High flu activity in nearly every state may be sidelining donors, slowing efforts to rebuild the Red Cross national blood supply. At the same time, hospitals already feeling the strain of the worst flu season in nearly 20 years are now also forced to triage critical blood products. Without immediate action, patients who count on transfusions — including trauma victims, mothers in childbirth and people with sickle cell disease or cancer — face serious risk.  

There’s no time to wait — book an appointment to give blood or platelets now by using the Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).  

As a thank-you to donors for helping tackle the blood shortage, those who come to give through Jan. 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. The winner and guest will receive two tickets to Super Bowl LX, access to day-of, in-stadium pregame activities, tickets to the official Super Bowl Experience, round-trip airfare, three-night hotel accommodations (Feb. 6-9, 2026), plus a $1,000 gift card for expenses. See RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl for details. 

All who come to give Jan. 26-Feb. 28, 2026, will receive a $20 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. See RedCrossBlood.org/Heart for details. 

Weather disrupts vital donations  

About 400 blood drives were impacted due to extreme winter weather last month alone —more than three times the number of blood drives impacted during the same time the previous year. As a result, thousands of blood donations have gone uncollected. With intense winter weather and freezing temperatures expected across much of the country in the coming weeks, more blood drives could potentially be delayed or canceled at a time when every unit of blood could be the difference for doctors facing difficult choices about which patients receive blood transfusions and who will need to wait. 

“Winter always puts pressure on the blood supply, and this year widespread flu and rough weather are making it even tougher,” said Paul Sullivan, senior vice president of Red Cross donor services. “If you’re able, now’s a great time to make and keep blood donation appointments, during National Blood Donor Month. Every donation can be a lifeline for a patient who isn’t able to hold off on critical care.” 

Who donations help   

For Jamie Ohl-Turner, a readily available blood supply isn’t just a medical necessity; it’s the reason she is alive today.

Following a devastating car accident that required 11 transfusions, Jamie realized the profound impact of strangers who choose to serve. “At one point, I had more of other people’s blood than my own,” she recalls. “Without those donors — regular people who took a few minutes out of their day to give — I wouldn’t be here today.”

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Jan. 20-Feb. 3:  

King

Issaquah

1/21/2026: 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Duthie Hill Ward, 26529 SE Duthie Hill Rd

Kent

1/27/2026: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Kentridge High School, 12430 SE 208th St

1/30/2026: 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., Kent First Baptist Church, 11420 SE 248th St

Mercer Island

1/30/2026: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Mercer Island High School, 9100 SE 42nd Street

Seattle

Seattle WA Blood Donation Center, 1900 25th Ave S – see RedCrossBlood.org for times

1/28/2026: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., SeaTac Airport – Delta Air Lines, 17801 International Blvd

1/29/2026: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., SeaTac Airport – Delta Air Lines, 17801 International Blvd

2/2/2026: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Glen Acres Church of Christ, 11401 10th Ave S

Shoreline

1/21/2026: 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., American Legion Post 227, 14521 17th Ave NE

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Pierce

Gig Harbor

1/20/2026: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Gig Harbor City Hall, 3510 Grandview St

Lakewood

1/23/2026: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Church of LDS Lakewood Stake, 10018 Farwest Drive SW

Puyallup

1/28/2026: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., VFW Post 2224 Puyallup, 120 2nd St NE

Tacoma

1/22/2026: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., St Paul Lutheran Church, 2553 Tacoma Ave S

1/27/2026: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., American Red Cross Tacoma, 4310 Bridgeport Way W

2/2/2026: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Parkway Presbyterian Church, 714 138th St E

University Place

2/2/2026: 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., American Red Cross University Place, 4310 Bridgeport Way W

2/3/2026: 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., American Red Cross University Place, 4310 Bridgeport Way W

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Snohomish

Arlington

1/21/2026: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., City of Arlington Utilities Admin Bldg, 154 W. Cox Ave.

Everett

1/22/2026: 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., American Red Cross Everett, 1010 SE Everett Mall Way, Suite 202

1/28/2026: 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., American Red Cross Everett, 1010 SE Everett Mall Way, Suite 202

1/29/2026: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Church of Latter-Day Saints Everett Stake Center, 9509 19th Ave SE

Lynnwood

1/22/2026: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Avalon Alderwood, 2510 164th Street SW

Stanwood

1/23/2026: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Stanwood-Camano YMCA, 7213 267th St NW

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Thurston

Rochester

1/26/2026: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., West-Thurston Fire Station 1-1 Rochester, 18720 Sargent Rd SW

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. 

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