JONESBORO, AR.(January 6, 2026) -The American Red Cross is teetering on a blood shortage this winter, which could lead to a disruption in lifesaving care. Donors are urged to make an appointment to give blood or platelets now.
The Red Cross blood supply is under pressure following a busy holiday season when winter weather and packed schedules made it even tougher to ensure hospitals have the blood products needed for critical care. Without immediate action, doctors may have to make difficult decisions about which patients receive blood transfusions and who will have to wait. Donors with types O, A negative, and B negative blood are especially needed now. Don't wait - make an appointment to give blood now by visitingRedCrossBlood.org, downloadingthe Red Cross Blood Donor App, or calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
For the seventh year, the Red Cross and the National Football League (NFL) are partnering in January for National Blood Donor Month to urge individuals to kick off 2026 with a blood donation. As a thank-you to donors for helping address the need for blood during the critical post-holiday time, those who come to give Jan. 1-25, 2026, will be automatically entered for a chance to win an exciting Super Bowl LX giveaway. The winner and guest will get to enjoy Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California, 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. For full details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl. Upcoming blood donation opportunities through January 31, 2026:
Clay County Piggott
1/12/2026: 12:30pm-4:30pm, First Methodist Church of Piggott, 188 North 3rd Avenue
Rector
1/12/2026: 1:30pm-5:30pm, Rector Community Center, 740 East 9th Street
Craighead County
Jonesboro
1/12/2026: 12:30pm-5:30pm, American Red Cross Jonesboro, 2416 South Madison Street
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
1/13/2026: 12:30pm-4:30pm, Browns Chapel Baptist Church, 3800 S Rockingchair Road
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
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
Trumann
1/6/2026: 12:30pm-5:30pm, Trumann Recreational Complex, 16179 Pecan Grove Rd
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.