National Blood Crisis NOW: Immediate Need for Blood Donations

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American Red Cross of Mile High

444 N. Sherman St., Denver, CO 80203

www.redcross.org/colorado

Media Contact: Catie Ballenger

(970) 261-6282 | [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Featured photo: February 25, 2026. Claire Ranzetta jokes with Red Cross phlebotomist Jessica Chimil while donating blood at LACES High School in Los Angeles, California. She said, “It’s nice to know I’m helping during a blood shortage.” Photo by Brad Zerivitz/American Red Cross.

National blood crisis NOW: Immediate need for blood donations

Red Cross issues rare crisis call for donors as summer blood shortage intensifies

Patient care threatened as critical blood type levels continue to fall

DENVER, Colo. (July 27, 2026) — For only the second time in history, the American Red Cross has declared a national blood crisis — and patients may already be feeling the impact. Donors are asked to act immediately to help save lives.

Blood donations have fallen to a four-year summer low, worsening this season’s emergency blood shortage.?All blood types are needed, but the situation is especially dire for type O blood as the Red Cross is now limiting distributions of these blood products to hospitals. The supply of type O positive blood has now dropped below a one-day supply.

Help end this crisis?and stabilize the blood supply.?Book an appointment to give blood now by using the Blood Donor App,?visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). As a thank-you, all who come to give by July 31 will receive a Fandango Movie Ticket by email (up to $15 ticket price and fees).?See RedCrossBlood.org/July.

Additionally, those?who come to give Aug. 1-31, 2026, will receive a $20 Amazon Gift Card by email. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/August.

Patients can’t wait

Despite thousands of people who have stepped up to help end the emergency blood shortage since it was declared earlier this month, donations are still not keeping pace with hospital demand, and the situation has escalated. Extreme heat, poor air quality and widespread foodborne illnesses continue to contribute to lower donor turnout this summer.

“This summer has brought a number of unique challenges that have placed additional strain on our blood supply, creating growing concerns for hospitals and the patients who rely on lifesaving transfusions,” said Paul Sullivan, senior vice president of donor services for the Red Cross. “If just three more donors gave at each blood drive this summer, we could help the blood supply rebound and ensure hospitals have the blood products they need throughout the remainder of the season.”

Upcoming blood donation opportunities, July?27-Aug. 15:

American Red Cross, 444 N. Sherman St., Denver:
- July 27 and 31,9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- July 29 and Aug. 5, 1-6 p.m.
- Aug. 3, 7 and 10, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Meadows Swim and Tennis Club, 5555 Racquet Court, Boulder — July 27, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
East Community Center, 5933 S. Fairfield St., Littleton — July 30, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Aspendale Northglenn, 10691 Melody Drive, Northglenn — July 30, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Denver Police District 2, 3921 Holly St., Denver — July 31, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Colorado Muslim Community Center, 15528 E Hampden Circle, Aurora — July 31, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Kaiser Permanente – Arapahoe, 5555 E. Arapahoe Rd., Centennial — Aug. 3, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
High Country Beverage, 4200 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Johnstown — Aug. 3, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 9200 W. 10th Ave., Lakewood — Aug. 4, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
HCA HealthONE Mountain Ridge, 9191 Grant St., Thornton — Aug. 4, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Westwood Professional Services, 10170 Church Ranch Way, Westminster — Aug. 4, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Allen Plumbing and Heating – Fort Collins, 101 S. Link Lane, Fort Collins — Aug. 6, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Wray Schools, 30222 County Road 35, Wray — Aug. 6, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
McDonald Hyundai, 1400 Plum Valley Lane, Highlands Ranch — Aug. 6, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Reunion Elementary School, 11021 Landmark Drive, Commerce City — Aug. 7, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Denver Health Medical Center Pavilion C, 777 Bannock St., Denver — Aug. 7, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
First Baptist Church, 122 E. Johnson St., Holyoke — Aug. 7, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Aurora Central Library, 14949 E. Alameda Parkway, Aurora — Aug. 10, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Julesburg Christian Church, 122 W. 5th St., Julesburg — Aug. 10, 12-6 p.m.
VFW Post 9466, 2680 W. Hampden Ave., Sheridan — Aug. 11, 1-6 p.m.
Centennial Airport Hangar Office Space, 7565 S. Peoria St., Englewood — Aug. 12, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
American Furniture Warehouse – Corporate Offices, 8820 American Way, Englewood — Aug. 12, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Olinger Chapel Hill Mortuary and Cemetery, 6601 S. Colorado Blvd., Centennial — Aug. 13, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
City of Commerce City, 7190 Colorado Blvd., Commerce City — Aug. 13, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
One Park Centre, 1333 W. 120th Ave., Westminster — Aug. 13, 12-4 p.m.
Becks’ Martial Arts, 902 W. Drake Road, Fort Collins — Aug. 14, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
American Legion Post 1, 5400 E. Yale Ave., Denver — Aug. 14, 1-6 p.m.

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.

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