Posted in Local

American Red Cross declares rare national blood crisis as summer shortage intensifies

 July 27, 2026

INDIANA — For only the second time in its history, the American Red Cross has declared a national blood crisis. The emergency declaration comes as blood donations fall to a four-year summer low, threatening patient care and forcing the Red Cross to limit blood product distributions to hospitals.

While donations of all blood types are urgently needed, the shortage is particularly dire for Type O blood. Supplies of Type O positive blood—the most commonly transfused blood type—have dropped below a single day’s supply.

According to Red Cross officials, the crisis has been exacerbated by a combination of extreme summer heat, poor air quality, widespread foodborne illnesses, and busy seasonal travel schedules that have led to lower donor turnout.

“This summer has brought several 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.”

To encourage immediate donations, the Red Cross is offering donor incentives:

  • Through July 31, 2026: All donors will receive a Fandango Movie Ticket by email (up to a $15 value).
  • August 1–31, 2026: All donors will receive a $20 Amazon Gift Card by email.

Appointments can be scheduled using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Upcoming Blood Donation Opportunities (July 27 – August 15)

Indiana Locations

  • Daviess County
    • Montgomery
      • Aug 7: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m. | First Mennonite Church, 8002 E 550 N
    • Odon
      • July 28: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m. | Bethel Mennonite Church, 9335 North 900 East
    • Washington
      • July 28: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. | Holiday Inn Express, 1808 E National Hwy
      • Aug 6: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Daviess County Family YMCA, 405 NE 3rd St
  • Dubois County
    • Ferdinand
      • Aug 3: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. | Scenic Hills at the Monastery, 710 Sunrise Drive
      • Aug 4: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. | YMCA-Ferdinand, 131 E 16th Street
    • Huntingburg
      • July 28: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. | VFW Post 2366, 314 Geiger Street
      • Aug 13: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. | YMI Club, 421 Van Buren Street
    • Jasper
      • July 27: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. | Jasper Library, 100 3rd Avenue, Suite B
      • July 29: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Dubois County Health Department, 1187 S St Charles St
      • Aug 12: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. | Trinity United Church of Christ, 310 W 8th St
      • Aug 14: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. | Redemption Christian Church, 1450 Energy Drive
  • Gibson County
    • Haubstadt
      • July 30: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. | Knights of Columbus Council 2215, 117 S. Main St.
    • Princeton
      • Aug 10: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. | Salvation Army, 202 S Gibson St
  • Greene County
    • Bloomfield
      • Aug 10: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. | First Presbyterian Church of Bloomfield, 401 Shyla Lane
  • Knox County
    • Vincennes
      • Aug 5: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. | YMCA of Vincennes, 2010 College Avenue
      • Aug 10: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. | Community Church of Vincennes, 1548 South Hart Street Road
  • Perry County
    • Tell City
      • Aug 13: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Tell City, 8480 Dauby Ln
  • Posey County
    • Poseyville
      • July 27: 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. | Poseyville Community Center, 60 N. Church St.
  • Spencer County
    • Saint Meinrad
      • July 29: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. | St. Meinrad School of Theology, 200 Hill Drive
    • Santa Claus
      • July 30: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. | Santa Claus Christian Church, 351 N Holiday Blvd
  • Vanderburgh County
    • Evansville
      • Evansville Blood Donation Center (29 S Stockwell Rd):
        • July 27–29: 12:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
        • July 30: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (SW Indiana Chapter)
        • July 31 – Aug 1: 8 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.
        • Aug 3–5: 12:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
        • Aug 6: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (SW Indiana Chapter)
        • Aug 7–8: 8 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.
        • Aug 10–12: 12:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
        • Aug 13: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (SW Indiana Chapter)
        • Aug 14–15: 8 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.
      • Aug 2: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Saint Benedict Cathedral, 1328 Lincoln Avenue
      • Aug 9: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 918 W Mill Rd
      • Aug 10: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. | Armstrong Recreational Center, 15849 Big Cynthiana Rd
      • Aug 12: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. | McCutchanville Fire Department, 9219 Petersburg Rd
      • Aug 12: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. | American Legion Funkhouser Post 8, 6001 New Harmony Rd
  • Vigo County
    • Terre Haute
      • Aug 11: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Memorial United Methodist Church, 2701 Poplar St
  • Warrick County
    • Boonville
      • Aug 4: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. | American Legion Post #200, 1021 East Main Street
      • Aug 6: 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Ascension St. Vincent – Warrick, 1116 Millis Avenue
    • Newburgh
      • Aug 6: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. | Newburgh United Methodist Church, 4178 Highway 261
      • Aug 10: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. | Digestive Care Center-Newburgh, 3800 Venetian Way
      • Aug 11: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. | St. John the Baptist Catholic Parish, 625 Frame Road

Illinois Locations

  • Edwards County
    • Albion: Aug 3 (12 p.m. – 6 p.m.) | House of Prayer, 230 North 5th Street
  • Lawrence County
    • Bridgeport:
      • July 27: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. | Shiloh Baptist Church, 7194 Shiloh Lane
      • July 29: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. | WB Gray Building, 540 N Main St
  • Saline County
    • Eldorado: Aug 11 (9 a.m. – 3 p.m.) | United Methodist Church, 1007 Third Street
    • Harrisburg:
      • Aug 3: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. | Harrisburg District Library, 2 West Walnut Street
      • Aug 14: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. | Liberty Baptist Church, 250 Liberty Rd.
  • Wabash County
    • Mt Carmel: Aug 12 (1 p.m. – 6 p.m.) | Parkview Christian Church, 11467 N 1550 Blvd
  • Wayne County
    • Cisne: Aug 11 (12 p.m. – 6 p.m.) | Blue Point Free Will Baptist Church, 1141 County Road 1975 N
    • Fairfield: Aug 14 (10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.) | Fairfield Memorial Hospital, 203 Northwest 10th St.
  • White County
    • Carmi:
      • July 29: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. | VFW Post 3851, 406 E. Main St.
      • Aug 13: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. | First Christian Church, 504 Bohleber Drive

Kentucky Locations

  • Henderson County
    • Henderson:
      • July 31: 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Deaconess Henderson Hospital, 1305 North Elm
      • Aug 3: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. | Presbyterian Church, 100 South Main Street
      • Aug 4: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. | Chapel Hill Church, 2601 US Hwy. 60 East
      • Aug 5: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. | Henderson Elks Lodge #206, 122 N Elm St
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