The American Red Cross is experiencing a severe blood shortage, with a 35% decrease in blood products over the past month. This decline comes as hospital demands exceed supply, particularly affecting platelets and O, A negative, and B negative blood types. The organization urges donors to make appointments to donate blood or platelets immediately to prevent delays in lifesaving care.
High flu activity across nearly every state is believed to be sidelining potential donors, complicating efforts to replenish the national blood supply. Paul Sullivan, senior vice president of Red Cross donor services, said that "winter always puts pressure on the blood supply," and this year is especially challenging due to widespread flu and adverse weather conditions.
The Red Cross has also been impacted by extreme winter weather, which affected about 400 blood drives last month alone. This number is more than triple compared to the same period last year. With more severe weather expected in the coming weeks, additional cancellations could occur at a time when every unit of blood is crucial for patient care.
Donors who give through January 25 will be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LX in San Francisco Bay Area. Those donating between January 26 and February 28 will receive a $20 e-gift card. More details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl and RedCrossBlood.org/Heart.
The American Red Cross Central and Southern Ohio Region continues its appeal for donations during National Blood Donor Month. Upcoming donation opportunities are scheduled throughout various locations including Knox County and Licking County.
Below are the schedules for Knox and Licking County.
Knox
Fredericktown
1/20/2026: 1 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Batemantown Methodist Church, 7974 Yankee St
Gambier
1/23/2026: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Kenyon College, 101 E Brooklyn St
1/26/2026: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Community Christian Fellowship, 23436 New Castle Road
Mount Vernon
1/20/2026: 1:9 p.m. - 6 p.m., Gay Street United Methodist Church, 18 N. Gay Street
1/23/2026: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., The Glenn A. Gallagher Centre, 1451 Gambier Rd.
1/30/2026: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Mount Vernon Nazarene University, 800 Martinsburg Road
2/2/2026: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Knox County Health Department, 11660 Upper Gilchrist Road
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Licking
Granville
1/23/2026: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Hoaglin Wellness Center, 550 Chapel Dr
Hebron
1/21/2026: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Lakewood HS, 9331 Lancer Rd SE, P O Box 70
Johnstown
1/29/2026: 7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Johnstown High School, 445 South Main Street
Newark
1/20/2026: 12 p.m. - 6:15 p.m., Newark OH Blood Donation Center, 225 N 21st St
1/21/2026: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Ohio State Newark Warner Library and Student Center, 1219 University Dr
1/21/2026: 10 a.m. - 4:15 p.m., Newark OH Blood Donation Center, 225 N 21st St
1/22/2026: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Newark OH Blood Donation Center, 225 N 21st St
1/22/2026: 12:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 50 N 2nd St
1/25/2026: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Newark OH Blood Donation Center, 225 N 21st St
1/26/2026: 12 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Newark OH Blood Donation Center, 225 N 21st St
1/27/2026: 12 p.m. - 6:15 p.m., Newark OH Blood Donation Center, 225 N 21st St
1/28/2026: 10 a.m. - 4:15 p.m., Newark OH Blood Donation Center, 225 N 21st St
1/29/2026: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Newark OH Blood Donation Center, 225 N 21st St
1/30/2026: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Licking Memorial Hospital, 1320 West Main Street
2/1/2026: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Newark OH Blood Donation Center, 225 N 21st St
2/2/2026: 12 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Newark OH Blood Donation Center, 225 N 21st St
2/3/2026: 12 p.m. - 6:15 p.m., Newark OH Blood Donation Center, 225 N 21st St
Pataskala
1/23/2026: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., West Licking County Family YMCA, 355 West Broad Street
