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Severe Blood Shortage: Red Cross Blood Supply Drops 35%
January 26, 2026
Update: Today’s blood drive at MACTEC is cancelled, but donors are urged to donate on Friday 1/30/26 at the Long Branch YMCA. The blood drive at the YMCA on Friday will support MACTEC’s scholarship program.
Donors urged to make an appointment to give blood and platelets amid growing flu, winter weather impact
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 and 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
Cancer patients rely on the generosity of platelet donors such as Richard Keating as more than half of platelet donations go towards this purpose. "I feel that I am doing what I can to help cancer patients going through chemotherapy," Keating shared. "It is really fulfilling to me." Keating has given a part, five hundred parts to be exact, of himself so that someone else, someone he will never meet, can have another chance at life. Read Richard Keating's full donation journey here.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Jan. 20-Feb. 3:
Audrain
Mexico
1/21/2026: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Hart Career Center, 905 N Wade
1/26/2026: 12 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Church of God Holiness, 1215 West Boulevard
_______________
Boone
Centralia
1/28/2026: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Sunnydale Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 6964 Audrain Road 9137
Columbia
1/20/2026: 12 p.m. - 6:45 p.m., Columbia MO Blood Donation Center, 1511 S. Providence Rd.
1/21/2026: 12 p.m. - 6:45 p.m., Columbia MO Blood Donation Center, 1511 S. Providence Rd.
1/23/2026: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Columbia MO Blood Donation Center, 1511 S. Providence Rd.
1/24/2026: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Columbia MO Blood Donation Center, 1511 S. Providence Rd.
1/25/2026: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Newman Center, 602 Turner Ave.
1/25/2026: 8 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Columbia MO Blood Donation Center, 1511 S. Providence Rd.
1/26/2026: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Columbia MO Blood Donation Center, 1511 S. Providence Rd.
1/27/2026: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Columbia Public Library, 100 West Broadway
1/27/2026: 12 p.m. - 6:45 p.m., Columbia MO Blood Donation Center, 1511 S. Providence Rd.
1/28/2026: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., University of Missouri Memorial Union, 518 Hitt Street, Memorial Union-University of Missouri
1/28/2026: 12 p.m. - 6:45 p.m., Columbia MO Blood Donation Center, 1511 S. Providence Rd.
1/29/2026: 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., University of Missouri Hospital and Clinics, #1 Hospital Drive
1/29/2026: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., University of Missouri Memorial Union, 518 Hitt Street, Memorial Union-University of Missouri
1/29/2026: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, 1520 E Rollins St
1/30/2026: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Columbia MO Blood Donation Center, 1511 S. Providence Rd.
1/30/2026: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Columbia Mall, 2300 Bernadette Dr
1/31/2026: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Columbia MO Blood Donation Center, 1511 S. Providence Rd.
2/1/2026: 8 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Columbia MO Blood Donation Center, 1511 S. Providence Rd.
2/2/2026: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Columbia MO Blood Donation Center, 1511 S. Providence Rd.
2/3/2026: 12 p.m. - 6:45 p.m., Columbia MO Blood Donation Center, 1511 S. Providence Rd.
Hallsville
1/26/2026: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Hallsville Community Center, 324 E Hwy Oo
_______________
Callaway
Fulton
1/23/2026: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Fulton Middle School, 403 E. 10th St.
1/26/2026: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Southside Baptist Church, 395 Country Meadows
Holts Summit
1/27/2026: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., PFSbrands, 120 Commerce Dr
_______________
Chariton
Salisbury
1/21/2026: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Dulany Memorial Library, 501 S Broadway
_______________
Cole
Jefferson City
1/20/2026: 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., Jefferson City Blood Donation Center, 3230 Emerald Lane
1/21/2026: 12 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Jefferson City Blood Donation Center, 3230 Emerald Lane
1/22/2026: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Jefferson City Ward, 4618 Henwick Lane
1/23/2026: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Jefferson City Blood Donation Center, 3230 Emerald Lane
1/24/2026: 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Jefferson City Blood Donation Center, 3230 Emerald Lane
1/25/2026: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Jefferson City Blood Donation Center, 3230 Emerald Lane
1/26/2026: 12 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Jefferson City Blood Donation Center, 3230 Emerald Lane
1/26/2026: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., River Region Credit Union, 501 Broadway
1/27/2026: 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., Jefferson City Blood Donation Center, 3230 Emerald Lane
1/28/2026: 12 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Jefferson City Blood Donation Center, 3230 Emerald Lane
1/30/2026: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Jefferson City Blood Donation Center, 3230 Emerald Lane
1/31/2026: 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Jefferson City Blood Donation Center, 3230 Emerald Lane
2/1/2026: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Jefferson City Blood Donation Center, 3230 Emerald Lane
2/2/2026: 12 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Jefferson City Blood Donation Center, 3230 Emerald Lane
2/3/2026: 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., Jefferson City Blood Donation Center, 3230 Emerald Lane
_______________
Cooper
Blackwater
1/26/2026: 1:45 p.m. - 6 p.m., Blackwater R-2 School, 300 Dodderidge Ave
Pilot Grove
2/3/2026: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Community Building, 302 Progress
_______________
Howard
Fayette
1/22/2026: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., First Baptist Church, 101 W. Davis
_______________
Miller
Eldon
2/2/2026: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Eldon Community Center, 309 E. 2nd St.
_______________
Moniteau
California
1/21/2026: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., St Paul Lutheran Church, 207 N. Owen
_______________
Morgan
Gravois Mills
1/22/2026: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Elks Laurie, 174 Elks Ln.
_______________
Pettis
Sedalia
1/28/2026: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Boonslick Regional Library, 219 W 3rd St
_______________
Phelps
Rolla
1/22/2026: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., St. Patrick Catholic Center, 1601 N. Bishop
_______________
Pulaski
Fort Leonard Wood
1/21/2026: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Ft Leonard Wood Hospital - Acute Medical Illness Clinic, 4430 Missouri Ave
Saint Robert
1/28/2026: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Saint Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church, 367 Old Route 66
_______________
Randolph
Moberly
1/23/2026: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Sam's Health Mart Pharmacies Store 2 Moberly, 530 E. Hwy 24
1/30/2026: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Central Christian College of the Bible, 911 East Urbandale Dr.
2/2/2026: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Randolph Area YMCA, 1000 Shepherd Brothers Blvd
_______________
Saline
Marshall
1/27/2026: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Missouri Valley College Malcolm Center, 500 E. College
Donors urged to make an appointment to give blood and platelets amid growing flu, winter weather impact
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 and 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
Cancer patients rely on the generosity of platelet donors such as Richard Keating as more than half of platelet donations go towards this purpose. "I feel that I am doing what I can to help cancer patients going through chemotherapy," Keating shared. "It is really fulfilling to me." Keating has given a part, five hundred parts to be exact, of himself so that someone else, someone he will never meet, can have another chance at life. Read Richard Keating's full donation journey here.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Jan. 20-Feb. 3:
Audrain
Mexico
1/21/2026: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Hart Career Center, 905 N Wade
1/26/2026: 12 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Church of God Holiness, 1215 West Boulevard
_______________
Boone
Centralia
1/28/2026: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Sunnydale Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 6964 Audrain Road 9137
Columbia
1/20/2026: 12 p.m. - 6:45 p.m., Columbia MO Blood Donation Center, 1511 S. Providence Rd.
1/21/2026: 12 p.m. - 6:45 p.m., Columbia MO Blood Donation Center, 1511 S. Providence Rd.
1/23/2026: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Columbia MO Blood Donation Center, 1511 S. Providence Rd.
1/24/2026: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Columbia MO Blood Donation Center, 1511 S. Providence Rd.
1/25/2026: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Newman Center, 602 Turner Ave.
1/25/2026: 8 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Columbia MO Blood Donation Center, 1511 S. Providence Rd.
1/26/2026: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Columbia MO Blood Donation Center, 1511 S. Providence Rd.
1/27/2026: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Columbia Public Library, 100 West Broadway
1/27/2026: 12 p.m. - 6:45 p.m., Columbia MO Blood Donation Center, 1511 S. Providence Rd.
1/28/2026: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., University of Missouri Memorial Union, 518 Hitt Street, Memorial Union-University of Missouri
1/28/2026: 12 p.m. - 6:45 p.m., Columbia MO Blood Donation Center, 1511 S. Providence Rd.
1/29/2026: 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., University of Missouri Hospital and Clinics, #1 Hospital Drive
1/29/2026: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., University of Missouri Memorial Union, 518 Hitt Street, Memorial Union-University of Missouri
1/29/2026: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, 1520 E Rollins St
1/30/2026: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Columbia MO Blood Donation Center, 1511 S. Providence Rd.
1/30/2026: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Columbia Mall, 2300 Bernadette Dr
1/31/2026: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Columbia MO Blood Donation Center, 1511 S. Providence Rd.
2/1/2026: 8 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Columbia MO Blood Donation Center, 1511 S. Providence Rd.
2/2/2026: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Columbia MO Blood Donation Center, 1511 S. Providence Rd.
2/3/2026: 12 p.m. - 6:45 p.m., Columbia MO Blood Donation Center, 1511 S. Providence Rd.
Hallsville
1/26/2026: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Hallsville Community Center, 324 E Hwy Oo
_______________
Callaway
Fulton
1/23/2026: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Fulton Middle School, 403 E. 10th St.
1/26/2026: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Southside Baptist Church, 395 Country Meadows
Holts Summit
1/27/2026: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., PFSbrands, 120 Commerce Dr
_______________
Chariton
Salisbury
1/21/2026: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Dulany Memorial Library, 501 S Broadway
_______________
Cole
Jefferson City
1/20/2026: 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., Jefferson City Blood Donation Center, 3230 Emerald Lane
1/21/2026: 12 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Jefferson City Blood Donation Center, 3230 Emerald Lane
1/22/2026: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Jefferson City Ward, 4618 Henwick Lane
1/23/2026: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Jefferson City Blood Donation Center, 3230 Emerald Lane
1/24/2026: 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Jefferson City Blood Donation Center, 3230 Emerald Lane
1/25/2026: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Jefferson City Blood Donation Center, 3230 Emerald Lane
1/26/2026: 12 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Jefferson City Blood Donation Center, 3230 Emerald Lane
1/26/2026: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., River Region Credit Union, 501 Broadway
1/27/2026: 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., Jefferson City Blood Donation Center, 3230 Emerald Lane
1/28/2026: 12 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Jefferson City Blood Donation Center, 3230 Emerald Lane
1/30/2026: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Jefferson City Blood Donation Center, 3230 Emerald Lane
1/31/2026: 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Jefferson City Blood Donation Center, 3230 Emerald Lane
2/1/2026: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Jefferson City Blood Donation Center, 3230 Emerald Lane
2/2/2026: 12 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Jefferson City Blood Donation Center, 3230 Emerald Lane
2/3/2026: 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., Jefferson City Blood Donation Center, 3230 Emerald Lane
_______________
Cooper
Blackwater
1/26/2026: 1:45 p.m. - 6 p.m., Blackwater R-2 School, 300 Dodderidge Ave
Pilot Grove
2/3/2026: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Community Building, 302 Progress
_______________
Howard
Fayette
1/22/2026: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., First Baptist Church, 101 W. Davis
_______________
Miller
Eldon
2/2/2026: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Eldon Community Center, 309 E. 2nd St.
_______________
Moniteau
California
1/21/2026: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., St Paul Lutheran Church, 207 N. Owen
_______________
Morgan
Gravois Mills
1/22/2026: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Elks Laurie, 174 Elks Ln.
_______________
Pettis
Sedalia
1/28/2026: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Boonslick Regional Library, 219 W 3rd St
_______________
Phelps
Rolla
1/22/2026: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., St. Patrick Catholic Center, 1601 N. Bishop
_______________
Pulaski
Fort Leonard Wood
1/21/2026: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Ft Leonard Wood Hospital - Acute Medical Illness Clinic, 4430 Missouri Ave
Saint Robert
1/28/2026: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Saint Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church, 367 Old Route 66
_______________
Randolph
Moberly
1/23/2026: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Sam's Health Mart Pharmacies Store 2 Moberly, 530 E. Hwy 24
1/30/2026: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Central Christian College of the Bible, 911 East Urbandale Dr.
2/2/2026: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Randolph Area YMCA, 1000 Shepherd Brothers Blvd
_______________
Saline
Marshall
1/27/2026: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Missouri Valley College Malcolm Center, 500 E. College
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