American Red Cross
Winter storms, California wildfires generate significant blood drive cancellations; thousands of blood products uncollected
The American Red Cross encourages donors to give blood now to help protect the blood supply from the ongoing impact of severe winter weather and wildfires. Donors of all blood types – particularly type O negative blood donors – are needed to help save lives this month.
As dangerous snow and ice continue to sweep across the country, and wildfires in Southern California continue to burn and impact air quality, Red Cross blood drive cancellations have grown into the hundreds. Collectively, this has resulted in about 15,000 uncollected blood and platelet donations in January. Here in the Kansas and Oklahoma region, 30 blood drives have been cancelled since the new year due to weather, resulting in 657 uncollected blood product donations.
More winter storms are forecast for this week − including in areas of the U.S. that do not typically experience significant snowfall − which could further strain the blood supply. Additionally, hazardous weather conditions have the potential to make it tougher to move vital blood products across the Red Cross network, possibly affecting deliveries to hospitals in some locations. As National Blood Donor Month continues, the time to give is now.
Where it is safe to do so, donors are asked to book a time to give blood by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
As a special thank-you to donors for helping address the need for blood during this crucial time, those who come to give through Jan. 26, 2025, will be automatically entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. The trip includes access to day-of in-stadium pre-game activities, tickets to the official Super Bowl Experience, round-trip airfare to New Orleans, three-night hotel accommodations (Feb. 7-10, 2025), plus a $1,000 gift card for expenses. For full details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl.
All who come to give Jan. 27-Feb. 28, 2025, will get a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. See RedCrossBlood.org/Flurry for details.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities in Butler County:
Andover
February 18 from 8:30am-1:30pm located at Andover Central High School, 603 E. Central
February 20 from 8:30am-2:30pm at Andover High School, 1744 N. Andover Rd.
Augusta
January 31 from 12pm-6pm at the First Baptist Church, 1501 State Street
Douglass
February 2 from 12:30pm-6pm at Douglass Senior Center, 124 W 4th
El Dorado
February 4 from 11:15am-5:30pm at Trinity United Methodist Church, 430 Eunice
February 17 from 11am-5pm at the First Christian Church, 300 W Central
Februaary 18 from 8am-2pm at Butler Community College – Hubbard Welcome Center, 901 S. Haverhill
Rose Hill
February 1 from 8:30am-12:30pm at Rose Hill Christian Church, 314 Rose Hill Road
