BLOOD SHORTAGE: American Red Cross urges blood donations
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- It's National Blood Donor Month, and right now, the American Red Cross says there's an urgent need for donations.
According to the organization, about 400 blood drives were impacted due to extreme winter weather last month alone, and requests from hospitals have exceeded the available supply of blood--leading to about a 35% drawdown of blood products in the past month.
There are several opportunities across Central Oregon for you to help out now through February 3rd. Those who donate between now and January 25th will be entered to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LX. Then, from January 26th to February 28th, those who donate will receive a $20 e-gift card to a merchant of choice.
Here's when and where you can donate in Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson counties through February 3rd:
-DESCHUTES COUNTY
BEND:
Bend Blood Donation Center, 815 SW Bond Street Suite 110 – Visit RedCrossBlood.org to see times.
1/20/2026: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., State & County Offices, 1300 NW Wall Street
1/21/2026: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Central OR Community College Campus Center, 2600 NW College Way
1/23/2026: 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Break Room Building, 1055 NW Newport Ave
1/26/2026: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., City of Bend Police Department, 555 NE 15th St
1/27/2026: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Foundry Church, 60 NW Oregon Ave
1/28/2026: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon, 61980 Skyline Ranch Road
1/29/2026: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Community House, 2558 NE Daggett Ln
REDMOND:
1/23/2026: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Redmond Senior Center, 325 NW Dogwood Ave
1/26/2026: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Redmond Library, 827 SW Deschutes Ave
1/29/2026: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Redmond Fire & Rescue Station 401, 341 NW Dogwood Ave
SUNRIVER:
2/2/2026: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Community Bible Church, 1 Theater Drive
-CROOK COUNTY
PRINEVILLE:
1/30/2026: 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Juniper Canyon Baptist Church, 9180 SE Juniper Canyon Rd.
-JEFFERSON COUNTY
TERREBONNE:
1/21/2026: 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Fire & Rescue, 6971 Shad Rd
Click here to book a donation appointment.
Below is the full press release from the American Red Cross:
"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.”
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Jan. 20-Feb. 3:
Crook:
Prineville
-1/30/2026: 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Juniper Canyon Baptist Church, 9180 SE Juniper Canyon Rd.
Deschutes:
Bend
Bend Blood Donation Center, 815 SW Bond Street Suite 110 – Visit RedCrossBlood.org to see times.
-1/20/2026: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., State & County Offices, 1300 NW Wall Street
-1/21/2026: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Central OR Community College Campus Center, 2600 NW College Way
-1/23/2026: 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Break Room Building, 1055 NW Newport Ave
-1/26/2026: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., City of Bend Police Department, 555 NE 15th St
-1/27/2026: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Foundry Church, 60 NW Oregon Ave
-1/28/2026: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon, 61980 Skyline Ranch Road
-1/29/2026: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Community House, 2558 NE Daggett Ln
Redmond
-1/23/2026: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Redmond Senior Center, 325 NW Dogwood Ave
-1/26/2026: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Redmond Library, 827 SW Deschutes Ave
-1/29/2026: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Redmond Fire & Rescue Station 401, 341 NW Dogwood Ave
Sunriver
-2/2/2026: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Community Bible Church, 1 Theater Drive
Jefferson:
Terrebonne
-1/21/2026: 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Fire & Rescue, 6971 Shad Rd
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."
