Winter Storms Freeze Out Blook Donations; Help Needed Now

The American Red Cross urges people to take action now to help offset the severe impact of recent winter storms on efforts to rebuild the blood supply during an ongoing blood shortage. Donors of all blood types are asked to make a blood or platelet donation appointment as soon as possible.

Over 500 blood drives have been canceled since the beginning of the year, causing more than 20,000 blood and platelet donations to go uncollected. In the Indiana Region, 33 blood drives have been affected, with 829 blood product donations going uncollected. In addition to the disruption of blood drives, dangerous weather conditions have also made it tougher to transport vital blood products, which could potentially affect deliveries to hospitals in some locations.  

Patient care is at risk — donors in unaffected areas are asked to book an appointment to give blood or platelets now by using the Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Those in areas facing extreme winter weather are asked to give when it’s safe to do so.All who come to give through Feb. 28 will receive a $20 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. See RedCrossBlood.org/Heart for details.

Hospital impact

Shortfalls in blood and platelet donations caused by recent winter storms are putting further strain on the national blood supply, forcing some hospitals to cancel elective procedures due to blood product shortages. When supplies are critically low, trauma surgeons and other doctors face the real possibility that blood could run out when it’s needed most. Now is the time to give blood or platelets before doctors have to face difficult decisions about which patients can safely move forward with treatment, and who will need to wait.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Feb. 3-28: 

Clinton County

Frankfort

2/6/2026: 7 a.m. – 1 p.m., Faith Family Church, 508 W Green Street

2/20/2026: 7 a.m. – 1 p.m., IU Health Frankfort, 1204 South Jackson Street

Tippecanoe County

Lafayette

2/6/2026: 12 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Northend Community Center, 2000 Elmwood Avenue

2/10/2026: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Northend Community Center, 2000 Elmwood Avenue

2/18/2026: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Crestview Community Church, 1400 Ortman Lane

West Lafayette

2/4/2026: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Purdue Black Cultural Center, 1100 Third Street

2/13/2026: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Purdue University – Forney Hall of Chemical Engineering, 480 Stadium Mall Drive

2/18/2026: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Purdue University – Krach Leadership Center, 1198 3rd Street

2/24/2026: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Faith West, 1920 Northwestern Avenue

2/25/2026: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Purdue University – Krach Leadership Center, 1198 3rd Street