Red Cross: 20K Donations Uncollected Due to Winter Storms, Give Blood or Platelets Now

February 04, 2026

Severe blood shortage intensifies as snow, ice, and extreme temperatures impact blood drives

The American Red Cross urges people to act 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 Missouri and Arkansas Region 54 blood drives have been affected, with over 1,000 blood 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 Jan. 26-Feb. 28, 2026, 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:

Audrain

Mexico
2/17/2026: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Knights of Columbus - Mexico, 9584 State Hwy 15
2/23/2026: 12 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Church of God Holiness, 1215 West Boulevard

Vandalia
2/18/2026: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Van-Far High School, 2221 Audrain Road
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Monroe

Monroe City
2/23/2026: 12:45 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Holy Rosary Church, 405 S. Main St.
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Pike

Bowling Green
2/24/2026: 12:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 8 North Broadway

Louisiana
2/10/2026: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Pike County Memorial Hospital, 2305 Georgia St
2/20/2026: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Louisiana High School, 3321 Georgia St.
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Randolph

Clark
2/18/2026: 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., New Hope United Methodist Church, 1046 HWY P

Moberly
2/11/2026: 12 p.m. - 4 p.m., Moberly Area Community College, 101 College
2/20/2026: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Sam's Health Mart Pharmacies Store 2 Moberly, 530 E. Hwy 24
2/23/2026: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Moberly Regional Medical Center, 1515 Union Ave