Red Cross urgently seeks blood donations ahead of holidays; Here’s where to give in Central Oregon
(KTVZ) -- The American Red Cross issued an urgent request Wednesday for blood and platelet donations, emphasizing a critical need for type O blood to maintain supply levels ahead of the holiday season.
The organization is offering gift card incentives for donors through Nov. 22, along with free health screenings during November. The push comes as health care facilities prepare for seasonal demand and require steady inventories of blood products for patient care.
The American Red Cross emphasized the importance of maintaining donation routines during the autumn months. “As we lean into fall activities, keeping blood and platelet donation appointments on the books is crucial to ensuring hospitals have the tools they need to care for patients this fall,” the Red Cross said in a statement. “The American Red Cross urges people to leave a lasting impact by giving blood or platelets now.”
People who donate blood or platelets between Oct. 19 and Nov. 22 will receive up to $20 in gift cards. The reward includes a $10 Amazon gift card sent by email and 500 bonus points through the Blood Donor Rewards program, which can be redeemed for an additional $10 e-gift card.
List of upcoming donation opportunities in Central Oregon:
Powell Butte
11/19/2026: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Brasada Ranch, 16986 SW Brasada Ranch Rd
Prineville
11/20/2026: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Missionary Baptist Church, 1870 Riverland Loop
Bend
Bend Blood Donation Center, 815 SW Bond Street Suite 110 Go to RedCrossBlood.org for dates and times.
10/28/2026: 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Partners In Care Bend, 2611 NE Courtney Dr.
10/29/2026: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., ODOT Building M, 63055 N Hwy 97
10/30/2026: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Pickleball Zone, 63040 NE 18th St
11/2/2026: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., The Newberry, 300 NW Franklin Ave
11/3/2026: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., RE/MAX Key Properties, 42 NW Greenwood Ave
11/5/2026: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Edward J. Ray Hall, 1500 SW Chandler Ave.
11/5/2026: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., American Red Cross, 815 SW Bond St
11/6/2026: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Cascades Academy, 19860 Tumalo Reservoir Rd
11/6/2026: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Mountain Air Bend, 20495 Murray Rd
11/17/2026: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., St Charles Medical Center Bend, 2500 NE Neff Road
11/20/2026: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Westside Church, 2051 NW Shevlin Park Rd
Eagle Crest
11/13/2026: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Eagle Crest Resort Redmond, 1522 Cline Falls Rd
La Pine
11/17/2026: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., La Pine High School, 51633 Coach Rd.
Redmond
10/23/2026: 8:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., Redmond Senior Center, 325 NW Dogwood Ave
10/26/2026: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Redmond Police Department, 111 NW Teak Ave
10/26/2026: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Grange 812, 707 SW Kalama
10/27/2026: 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Redmond Stake, 450 SW Rimrock
10/29/2026: 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., VFW 4108 Redmond, 491 SW Veterans Way
11/9/2026: 9:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Highland Baptist Church, 3100 SW Highland Ave
11/9/2026: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Grange 812, 707 SW Kalama
11/10/2026: 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Redmond Stake, 450 SW Rimrock
11/12/2026: 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Ridgeview High School, 4555 SW Elkhorn Ave
Sisters
11/11/2026: 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., FivePine Event Center, 1021 E Desperado Trail
Sunriver
10/23/2026: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Three Rivers School, 56900 Enterprise Dr
11/2/2026: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Community Bible Church, 1 Theater Drive
Culver
11/18/2026: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Culver High School-Multipurpose Room, 710 5th St.
Madras
10/27/2026: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., St. Charles, 470 A Street
11/16/2026: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Juniper Community Church, 976 S Adams Dr
Terrebonne
11/11/2026: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Fire & Rescue, 6971 Shad Rd
In recognition of National diabetes Awareness Month in November, successful donations during the month will include free A1C testing. The test screens for prediabetes and diabetes, with results limited to one per calendar year. Donors are instructed not to fast before donating.
To qualify for donation, individuals must generally be at least 17 years old, or 16 with parental consent where allowed by state law, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. Donors 18 years of age and younger must also satisfy specific height and weight requirements. Attendees must present a blood donor card, driver's license or two alternative forms of identification at check-in.
Donors can complete pre-donation reading and health history questionnaires online on the day of their drive using the RapidPass system. Appointments can be made through the Red Cross Blood Donor App, online at RedCrossBlood.org, by calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Blood Donor Skill on Alexa Echo devices. “Get into the spirit of saving lives,” the Red Cross said.
The gift card promotion remains active through Nov. 22. Free A1C testing will be provided on successful donations throughout the month of November.
