Winter Storms Force More Red Cross Blood Drive Cancellations in Northeast

Disruptions add to national blood shortage, making Utah donations especially critical

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A powerful blizzard in the Northeast has forced the cancellation of more than 60 American Red Cross blood drives, resulting in thousands of additional blood and platelet donations going uncollected. These new cancellations add to a growing shortfall, as severe winter weather had already canceled nearly 750 Red Cross blood drives since the start of the year, leaving more than 20,000 blood and platelet donations uncollected and worsening an ongoing national blood shortage.

Why it matters

The impact of these winter weather disruptions continues to be felt across the country, straining an already fragile national blood supply. Hospitals rely on a stable blood inventory for emergency treatment, surgeries, cancer care and chronic medical conditions that require transfusions. When supplies run low, it becomes harder to ensure blood is available when and where it is needed most.

The details

The latest blizzard in the Northeast forced the cancellation of more than 60 Red Cross blood drives from Washington, D.C., to Maine, resulting in thousands of additional blood and platelet donations going uncollected. These new cancellations add to the nearly 750 Red Cross blood drives that had already been canceled earlier this month due to severe winter weather, leaving more than 20,000 blood and platelet donations uncollected.

  • On Monday, a powerful blizzard hit the Northeast, bringing more than a foot of snow to parts of the region.
  • Since the start of the year, severe winter weather had already canceled nearly 750 Red Cross blood drives.

The players

American Red Cross Utah/Nevada Region

The regional division of the American Red Cross that serves Utah and Nevada.

Heidi Ruster

Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross Utah/Nevada Region.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The impact of winter weather continues to be felt across the country, and these new cancellations in the Northeast are adding more strain to an already fragile blood supply.”

— Heidi Ruster, Chief Executive Officer

What’s next

Donations made in Utah are helping support patients in Utah and in communities affected by these disruptions, especially as hospitals continue to need O positive and O negative blood.

The takeaway

The ongoing winter weather disruptions to the national blood supply highlight the critical importance of blood donations, especially in regions like Utah that have not been as impacted, to ensure hospitals can meet patient needs across the country.