The American Red Cross says they are teetering on a blood shortage this winter which could lead to a disruption in lifesaving care. Donors are being urged to make an appointment to give blood or platelets as soon as possible.
The cause for the supply being under pressure is thought to be a busy holiday season when winter weather and full schedules make it tough to ensure hospitals have the blood products they need for critical care. Without the action the Red Cross is calling for, doctors may have to make difficult decisions about which patients receive blood transfusions and who will need to wait.
Donors with types O, A negative and B negative blood are especially needed now.
Appointments can be made by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.
Some upcoming central Nebraska blood drives
– January 7, Loup City Community Center, 11 AM to 5 PM
– January 12, Cozad High School, 9 AM to 3 PM
– January 13, Central Community College in Ord, 9 AM to 3 PM
– January 15, Brady Public Schools, 12:30 PM to 5:15 PM
– January 19, Arnold Community Center, 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM
– January 19, Amherst Community Center, Noon to 6 PM
– January 26, Melham Medical Center in Broken Bow, 8:30 AM to 2 PM
– February 11, Broken Bow Municipal Building, 1 PM to 6 PM
For January’s National Blood Donor Month, the Red Cross is partnering with the National Football League (NFL) to kick off 2026. Those who donate blood from January 1 to 25 will be automatically entered for a chance to win an exciting Super Bowl LX giveaway which will include access to day-of in-stadium pregame activities, tickets to the Super Bowl Experience, round-trip airfare, three-night hotel accommodations (Feb. 6-9, 2026), plus a $1,000 gift card for expenses.
“I gave blood once in college and that was the only time I had ever been asked to give, until the Red Cross reached out this fall,” said Saquon Barkley of the Philadelphia Eagles. “It was a no-brainer for me to give again. It only takes about an hour and once you realize in that short amount of time how much help it can bring – it’s a beautiful thing.”
At donations, a blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Those who are 17 years of age in most states, 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.
