JONESBORO, AR.(January 20, 2026) -The American Red Cross is facing a severe blood shortage as requests from hospitals exceed the available supply of blood, leading to about a 35% drawdown of blood products in the past month. Individuals are urged to give now so patients don't face delays in lifesaving care. The shortage is especially serious for types O, A negative, and B negative blood.
High flu activity in nearly every state may be sidelining donors, slowing efforts to rebuild the Red Cross national blood supply. At the same time, hospitals already feeling the strain of the worst flu season in nearly 20 years are now also forced to traige critical blood products. Without immediate action, patients who count on transfusions - including trauma victims, mothers in childbirth, and people with sickle cell disease or cancer - face serious risk. There's no time to wait - book an appointment to give blood now by usingthe Red Cross Blood Donor App, visitingRedCrossBlood.org, or calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
As a thank-you to donors for helping tackle the blood shortage, those who come to give through Jan. 25, 2026, will automatically be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LX in the San Francisco Bay Area. The winner and guest will receive two tickets to Super Bowl LX, access to day-of, in-stadium pregame activities, tickets to the official Super Bowl Experience, round-trip airfare, three-night hotel accommodations (Feb. 6-9, 2026), plus a $1,000 gift card for expenses. See RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl for details.
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. Upcoming blood donation opportunities through February 3, 2026:
Craighead County
Jonesboro
1/21/2026: 12pm-6pm, Hilton Garden Inn, 2840 S Caraway Road
1/22/2026: 12pm-6pm, Hilton Garden Inn, 2840 S Caraway Road
1/23/2026: 12pm-6pm, Hilton Garden Inn, 2840 S Caraway Road
1/26/2026: 10am-2pm, Word Baptist Church, 416 Calion St
1/27/2026: 9:30am-2:30pm, Westside High School, 1630 Highway 91 North
1/28/2026: 11am-4pm, American Red Cross Jonesboro, 2416 South Madison Street
1/29/2026: 10am-3pm, Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 1107 E Highland Dr
1/30/2026: 12pm-4pm, Jonesboro Human Development Center - Building 200, 4701 Colony Dr
Greene County Paragould
1/21/2026: 12pm-6pm, Arkansas Methodist Medical Center, 900 West Kingshighway
1/22/2026: 12pm-6pm, Arkansas Methodist Medical Center, 900 West Kingshighway
1/23/2026: 11am-4pm, Arkansas Methodist Medical Center, 900 West Kingshighway
1/29/2026: 1pm-5:30pm, Hillcrest Church of Christ, 7208 West Kingshighway
2/2/2026: 1:30pm-5:30pm, First United Methodist Church, 404 West Main
Lawrence County Walnut Ridge
1/23/2026: 11am-4pm, Lawrence Memorial Hospital, 201 South Memorial Drive
Poinsett County
Harrisburg
1/26/2026: 1pm-5pm, Harrisburg Community Center, 203 West South
Randolph County Pocahontas
1/28/2026: 10am-2pm, Black River Technical College, 1410 Highway 304 East
How to donate blood Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver's license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.
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; provides 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 visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
