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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 more than 12,000 uncollected blood and platelet donations in January

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 Jan. 22-Feb. 15:

Columbus

41/23/2025: 1 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Columbus GA Blood Donation Center, 7490 Veterans Pkwy

41/24/2025: 9 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., Columbus GA Blood Donation Center, 7490 Veterans Pkwy

41/25/2025: 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Columbus GA Blood Donation Center, 7490 Veterans Pkwy

41/26/2025: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Columbus GA Blood Donation Center, 7490 Veterans Pkwy

41/27/2025: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Columbus Hospice, 7020 Moon Rd

41/27/2025: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Columbus GA Blood Donation Center, 7490 Veterans Pkwy

41/30/2025: 1 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Columbus GA Blood Donation Center, 7490 Veterans Pkwy

41/31/2025: 9 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., Columbus GA Blood Donation Center, 7490 Veterans Pkwy

41/31/2025: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Veterans Memorial Middle School, 2008 Old Guard Rd

42/1/2025: 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Columbus GA Blood Donation Center, 7490 Veterans Pkwy

42/2/2025: 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., St Paul Church of Columbus Youth Activity Building, 2101 Wildwood Ave

42/2/2025: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Columbus GA Blood Donation Center, 7490 Veterans Pkwy

42/3/2025: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Columbus GA Blood Donation Center, 7490 Veterans Pkwy

42/5/2025: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Columbus State University Woodruff Gym, 4225 University Ave

42/6/2025: 1 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Columbus GA Blood Donation Center, 7490 Veterans Pkwy

42/7/2025: 9 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., Columbus GA Blood Donation Center, 7490 Veterans Pkwy

42/8/2025: 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Columbus GA Blood Donation Center, 7490 Veterans Pkwy

42/9/2025: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Columbus GA Blood Donation Center, 7490 Veterans Pkwy

42/10/2025: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Columbus GA Blood Donation Center, 7490 Veterans Pkwy

42/13/2025: 1 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Columbus GA Blood Donation Center, 7490 Veterans Pkwy

42/14/2025: 9 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., Columbus GA Blood Donation Center, 7490 Veterans Pkwy

42/15/2025: 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Columbus GA Blood Donation Center, 7490 Veterans Pkwy

Lagrange

42/4/2025: 12:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 401 Broad Street

42/8/2025: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Advent Lutheran Church, 1416 Vernon Road

42/12/2025: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., West Georgia Technical College, One College Circle