PHILADELPHIA, PA — The American Red Cross is urging blood and platelet donors to schedule appointments as a recent decline in donations threatens to tighten blood supplies heading into the summer months, a period that often brings increased disruptions to collection efforts and donor participation.
The organization said donors of all blood types, as well as platelet donors, are needed to help maintain adequate inventories of blood products for hospitals and emergency care providers.
The warning comes as summer travel, school breaks, and end-of-school-year activities reduce opportunities for blood collection and donor participation. The start of the Atlantic hurricane season on June 1 also raises the risk of weather-related disruptions that can force blood drive cancellations and delay collections in affected areas.
The Red Cross said it has experienced a significant drop in scheduled donations in recent weeks, increasing concerns about maintaining a stable blood supply during a period when donor turnout traditionally declines.
Blood products are essential for surgeries, trauma care, cancer treatments, chronic illnesses, and emergency medical situations. Because blood has a limited shelf life and cannot be manufactured, hospitals rely on a steady flow of volunteer donations to meet patient needs.
To encourage participation, the Red Cross is offering all donors who give blood or platelets by June 28, 2026, a $15 e-gift card redeemable with a participating merchant. Donors will also be automatically entered into a drawing for one of two $7,500 gift cards.
Appointments can be scheduled at RedCrossBlood.org, through the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS. Additional information about the donor incentive program is available at RedCrossBlood.org/June.
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