National blood crisis: Immediate need for blood donations

American Red Cross

Red Cross issues rare crisis call for donors as summer blood shortage intensifies. Patient care is threatened as critical blood type levels continue to fall. 

 For only the second time in history, the American Red Cross has declared a national blood crisis — and patients may already be feeling the impact. Donors are asked to act immediately to help save lives.

Blood donations have fallen to a four-year summer low, worsening this season’s emergency blood shortage. All blood types are needed, but the situation is especially dire for type O blood as the Red Cross is now limiting distributions of these blood products to hospitals. The supply of type O positive blood has now dropped below a one-day supply.

Help end this crisis and stabilize the blood supply. Book an appointment to give blood now by using the Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733  2767). 

As a thank-you, all who give by July 31 will receive a Fandango Movie Ticket by email (up to $15 ticket price and fees).

See RedCrossBlood.org/July.  Additionally, those who come to give Aug. 1-31, 2026, will receive a $20 Amazon Gift Card by email. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/August. 

Patients can’t wait. Despite thousands of people who have stepped up to help end the emergency blood shortage since it was declared earlier this month, donations are still not keeping pace with hospital demand, and the situation has escalated. Extreme heat, poor air quality, and widespread foodborne illnesses continue to contribute to lower donor turnout this summer.

“This summer has brought a number of unique challenges that have placed additional strain on our blood supply, creating growing concerns for hospitals and the patients who rely on lifesaving transfusions,” said Paul Sullivan, senior vice president of donor services for the Red Cross. “If just three more donors gave at each blood drive this summer, we could help the blood supply rebound and ensure hospitals have the blood products they need throughout the remainder of the season.”

Upcoming blood donation opportunities July 27-Aug 15:

KS

Great Bend

1. 8/10/2026: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Advanced Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine, 4801 10th St

Pittsburg

1. 8/15/2026: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1507 S. Rouse

Ellis/Hays

1. 7/24/2026: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., American Red Cross - Hays, 208 East 8th
2. 7/28/2026: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., American Red Cross - Hays, 208 East 8th
   
3. 7/29/2026: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., American Red Cross - Hays, 208 East 8th
   
4. 7/30/2026: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., American Red Cross - Hays, 208 East 8th
   
5. 7/31/2026: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., American Red Cross - Hays, 208 East 8th
   
6. 8/4/2026: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., American Red Cross - Hays, 208 East 8th
   
7. 8/5/2026: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., American Red Cross - Hays, 208 East 8th
   
8. 8/6/2026: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., American Red Cross - Hays, 208 East 8th
   
9. 8/7/2026: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., American Red Cross - Hays, 208 East 8th
   
10. 8/11/2026: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., American Red Cross - Hays, 208 East 8th
    
11. 8/12/2026: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., American Red Cross - Hays, 208 East 8th
    
12. 8/13/2026: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., American Red Cross - Hays, 208 East 8th
    
13. 8/14/2026: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., American Red Cross - Hays, 208 East 8th
    
14. 8/18/2026: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., American Red Cross - Hays, 208 East 8th
    
15. 8/19/2026: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., American Red Cross - Hays, 208 East 8th
    
16. 8/20/2026: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., American Red Cross - Hays, 208 East 8th
    
17. 8/21/2026: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 2900 Hall St
    
18. 8/25/2026: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., American Red Cross - Hays, 208 East 8th
    
19. 8/27/2026: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., American Red Cross - Hays, 208 East 8th
    
20. 8/28/2026: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., American Red Cross - Hays, 208 East 8th
    

Hutchinson

1. 7/28/2026: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Center Amish Mennonite Church, 7611 W Morgan Ave
2. 7/31/2026: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Park Place Christian Church, 2600 N. Adams
   
3. 8/3/2026: 12 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 407 E 12th Ave
   
4. 8/4/2026: 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 407 E 12th Ave
   
5. 8/5/2026: 7 a.m. - 1 p.m., Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 407 E 12th Ave
   
6. 8/12/2026: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 612 S. Maple
   
7. 8/28/2026: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, 1701 East 23rd
   

Plainville

1. 7/27/2026: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Rooks County Health Center, 1210 N Washington
2. 8/3/2026: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., First Christian Church, 301 S Broadway St
   

Stockton

1. 8/25/2026: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Rooks County Health Building, 426 Main St

Salina

1. 7/27/2026: 12 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Salina Blood Donation Center, 120 W. Prescott
2. 7/31/2026: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Salina Blood Donation Center, 120 W. Prescott
   
3. 8/1/2026: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Salina Blood Donation Center, 120 W. Prescott
   
4. 8/2/2026: 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Salina Blood Donation Center, 120 W. Prescott
   
5. 8/3/2026: 12 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Salina Blood Donation Center, 120 W. Prescott
   
6. 8/7/2026: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Salina Blood Donation Center, 120 W. Prescott
   
7. 8/8/2026: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Salina Blood Donation Center, 120 W. Prescott
   
8. 8/9/2026: 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Salina Blood Donation Center, 120 W. Prescott
   
9. 8/10/2026: 12 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Salina Blood Donation Center, 120 W. Prescott
   
10. 8/11/2026: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Homewood Suites, 115 E Mulberry St
    
11. 8/14/2026: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Salina Blood Donation Center, 120 W. Prescott
    
12. 8/15/2026: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Salina Blood Donation Center, 120 W. Prescott
    
13. 8/16/2026: 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Salina Blood Donation Center, 120 W. Prescott
    
14. 8/17/2026: 12 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Salina Blood Donation Center, 120 W. Prescott
    
15. 8/17/2026: 12:15 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 122 N. 8th
    
16. 8/21/2026: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Salina Blood Donation Center, 120 W. Prescott
    
17. 8/22/2026: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Salina Blood Donation Center, 120 W. Prescott
    
18. 8/23/2026: 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Salina Blood Donation Center, 120 W. Prescott
    
19. 8/24/2026: 12 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Salina Blood Donation Center, 120 W. Prescott
    
20. 8/25/2026: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 845 S. Ohio
    
21. 8/26/2026: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Sunrise Presbyterian, 825 E. Beloit
    
22. 8/27/2026: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Sunrise Presbyterian, 825 E. Beloit
    
23. 8/28/2026: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Sunrise Presbyterian, 825 E. Beloit
    
24. 8/28/2026: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Salina Blood Donation Center, 120 W. Prescott
    

Liberal

1. 8/13/2026: 12 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., First Southern Baptist Church, 621 N Western Ave.

Wakeeney

1. 8/6/2026: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., United Methodist Church, 500 Summit Ave.