The American Red Cross has issued an urgent call for blood and platelet donations following the disruption caused by severe winter storms. These adverse weather conditions have led to the cancellation of over 500 blood drives since the start of the year, resulting in more than 20,000 uncollected donations. The Central & Southern Ohio Region alone saw 47 affected drives, with over 1,200 donations uncollected.
"Dangerous weather conditions have also made it tougher to transport vital blood products," the Red Cross said, highlighting potential impacts on hospital deliveries. They urge donors in unaffected areas to schedule appointments through their Blood Donor App, website (RedCrossBlood.org), or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Those in storm-hit regions are advised to donate when safe.
Hospitals are feeling the strain, with some forced to cancel elective procedures due to 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," the organization warned.
The Red Cross is offering a $20 e-gift card to those who donate between January 26 and February 28, 2026. More details can be found at RedCrossBlood.org/Heart.
Upcoming donation opportunities for Knox and Licking Counties are below:
Knox
Centerburg
2/24/2026: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Centerburg Church of Christ, 3830 Columbus Road
Danville
2/10/2026: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Saint Luke Community Center, 7 W Rambo St
Gambier
2/12/2026: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Kenyon College, 101 E Brooklyn St
Howard
2/5/2026: 12 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Apple Valley, 850 Crestrose Drive
Martinsburg
2/4/2026: 12:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Martinsburg Community Center, 122 W Liberty St
Mount Vernon
2/17/2026: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Mt. Vernon Developmental Center, 1250 Vernonview Drive
2/17/2026: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Mount Vernon Nazarene University, 800 Martinsburg Road
2/17/2026: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Grand Hotel, 12 Public Square
2/19/2026: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Moose Lodge, 417 W. High Street
2/19/2026: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Knox Community Hospital, 1330 Coshocton Avenue
2/21/2026: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Grand Hotel, 12 Public Square
2/24/2026: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Grand Hotel, 12 Public Square
2/26/2026: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., The Glenn A. Gallagher Centre, 1451 Gambier Rd.
_______________
Licking
Etna
2/19/2026: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., DayBreak Church, 1226 Pike Street
Granville
2/17/2026: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Bryn Du Mansion, 537 Jones Rd NE
Hebron
2/26/2026: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Hebron New Life Church, 925 W Main St
Newark
2/3/2026: 12 p.m. - 6:15 p.m., Newark OH Blood Donation Center, 225 N 21st St
2/4/2026: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Licking Valley High School, 100 Hainsview Drive
2/4/2026: 10 a.m. - 4:15 p.m., Newark OH Blood Donation Center, 225 N 21st St
2/5/2026: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Newark OH Blood Donation Center, 225 N 21st St
2/8/2026: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Newark OH Blood Donation Center, 225 N 21st St
2/9/2026: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Licking County Aging Partners, 1058 E Main St
2/9/2026: 12 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Newark OH Blood Donation Center, 225 N 21st St
2/10/2026: 12 p.m. - 6:15 p.m., Newark OH Blood Donation Center, 225 N 21st St
2/11/2026: 10 a.m. - 4:15 p.m., Newark OH Blood Donation Center, 225 N 21st St
2/12/2026: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Newark OH Blood Donation Center, 225 N 21st St
2/15/2026: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Newark OH Blood Donation Center, 225 N 21st St
2/16/2026: 12 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Newark OH Blood Donation Center, 225 N 21st St
2/17/2026: 12 p.m. - 6:15 p.m., Newark OH Blood Donation Center, 225 N 21st St
2/18/2026: 10 a.m. - 4:15 p.m., Newark OH Blood Donation Center, 225 N 21st St
2/19/2026: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Newark OH Blood Donation Center, 225 N 21st St
2/22/2026: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Newark OH Blood Donation Center, 225 N 21st St
2/23/2026: 12 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Newark OH Blood Donation Center, 225 N 21st St
2/24/2026: 12 p.m. - 6:15 p.m., Newark OH Blood Donation Center, 225 N 21st St
2/25/2026: 10 a.m. - 4:15 p.m., Newark OH Blood Donation Center, 225 N 21st St
2/26/2026: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Newark OH Blood Donation Center, 225 N 21st St
Pataskala
2/20/2026: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., West Licking County Family YMCA, 355 West Broad Street
2/26/2026: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Tri Village Christian Church, 7509 E. Broad St SW
Utica
2/19/2026: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Utica Church of Christ, 115 N Central Ave
Upcoming donation opportunities also include locations such as Bucyrus Moose Lodge on February 3 and Delaware Blood Donor Center on multiple dates throughout February. A full list of sites is available on their website.
For more information about their mission and services, visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org.
