INDIANA — The American Red Cross is appealing to the public to make appointments to donate blood now, warning that a seasonal drop in donor turnout, coupled with the ongoing threat of hurricanes, could jeopardize the nation’s blood supply.
The organization stresses that while emergencies make headlines, the need for blood is constant, but appointments often drop in October as people become busy with fall routines and school breaks. Because blood has a short shelf life, any disruption in collection efforts can have serious consequences for patients needing transfusions.
“The need for blood is constant,” said a Red Cross representative. “We ask donors to make an appointment now to support patients counting on a consistent blood supply to survive and heal.”
Incentives and Upcoming Donation Sites
To encourage donations, the Red Cross is offering incentives for those who give:
- September 22–October 19: All donors who come to give blood, platelets, or plasma will receive a $10 Amazon.com gift card via email.
- October 20–November 16: Donors will receive a $10 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice and be automatically entered for a chance to win one of three $5,000 gift cards.
To schedule an appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App.
Local Blood Donation Opportunities (Oct. 16–31, 2025)
Below are upcoming opportunities across central and southern Indiana:
| County | City | Date | Time | Location |
| Bartholomew | Columbus | 10/21 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | The Commons |
| 10/23 | 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. | District 6 Event Space | ||
| Boone | Whitestown | 10/25 | 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Hussey-Mayfield Library |
| Delaware | Muncie | 10/21 | 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. | IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital |
| 10/29 | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Freedom Point Apostolic Church | ||
| Hamilton | Fishers | 10/16 | 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. | IU Health Fishers |
| Westfield | 10/30 | 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Ascension St. Vincent YMCA | |
| Hancock | Greenfield | 10/20 | 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. | Hancock County Fairgrounds |
| Hendricks | Brownsburg | 10/27 | 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. | Church At Main |
| Lawrence | Bedford | 10/16 | 2 p.m. – 7 p.m. | Knights of Columbus |
| Mitchell | 10/20 | 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. | First Baptist Church – Mitchell | |
| Marion | Indianapolis | 10/16 | 1 p.m. – 7 p.m. | Indiana State Fairgrounds |
| 10/23 | 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. | American Red Cross (1510 North Meridian) | ||
| Monroe | Bloomington | 10/22 | 2 p.m. – 7 p.m. | First Presbyterian Church |
| 10/30 | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Indiana Memorial Union |
