Red Cross Urges Blood Donations After Winter Storms Cancel 20K Donations

Severe winter weather disrupted blood drives and transportation, putting patient care at risk.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 5:07pm

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The American Red Cross is urging people to donate blood as soon as possible to help offset the severe impact of recent winter storms on efforts to rebuild the national blood supply during an ongoing shortage. Over 500 blood drives have been canceled since the beginning of the year, causing more than 20,000 blood and platelet donations to go uncollected in the Minnesota and Dakotas Region alone.

Why it matters

Patient care is at risk due to the shortfall in blood and platelet donations caused by the winter storms, forcing some hospitals to cancel elective procedures. When supplies are critically low, doctors may have to make difficult decisions about which patients can safely move forward with treatment.

The details

The dangerous winter weather conditions have also made it tougher to transport vital blood products, which could potentially affect deliveries to hospitals in some locations. The Red Cross is urging all eligible donors in unaffected areas to make a blood donation appointment as soon as possible using the Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

  • Over 500 blood drives have been canceled since the beginning of 2026.
  • Nearly 300 blood product donations went uncollected in the Minnesota and Dakotas Region.

The players

American Red Cross

A humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief and education inside the United States.

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What’s next

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.

The takeaway

The severe winter storms have had a devastating impact on the national blood supply, putting patient care at risk. It's critical for eligible donors in unaffected areas to make appointments to give blood as soon as possible to help rebuild the supply and ensure doctors have the resources they need to provide life-saving care.