For only the second time in history, the American Red Cross has declared a national blood crisis — and patients may already be feeling the impact.
Donors are being asked to act immediately to help save lives.
Blood donations have fallen to a fourto year summer low, worsening this season’s emergency blood shortage. All blood types are needed, but the situation is especially dire for type O blood as the Red Cross is now limiting distributions of these blood products to hospitals. The supply of type O positive blood has now dropped below a oneto day supply.
To help end stabilize the blood supply, donors are asked to book an appointment to give blood now by using the Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1to 800to RED CROSS (1to 800to 733to 2767). As a thankto you, all who come to give by July 31 will receive a Fandango Movie Ticket by email (up to $15 ticket price and fees). See RedCrossBlood.org/July.
Additionally, those who give between Aug. 1 and 31, 2026, will receive a $20 Amazon Gift Card by email. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/August.
“This summer has brought a number of 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.”
Upcoming blood donation opportunities in Linn County between July 27 and Aug. 15 include:
Lebanon
July 30: Noon to 5 p.m., Christ Community Lutheran Church Lebanon, 320 Market St.
Aug. 1: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Grocery Outlet, 2540 S Santiam Hwy.
Aug. 3: Noon to 5 p.m., St. Edward Catholic Church, 100 S Main St.
Aug. 12: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 3111 S Main Road.
Sweet Home
July 31: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Evangelical Church, 1347 Long St.
Albany
Aug. 3: 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Sybaris Restaurant Albany, 133 SE 5th Ave.
Aug. 5: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Eastside Christian Church, 1910 Grand Prairie Road SE.
Aug. 7: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., LDSto Albany Stake, 2850 Grand Prairie Rd. SE.
Aug. 8: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Grocery Outlet Albany, 1950 14th Ave SE.
Aug. 11: Noon to 5 p.m., Comfort Suites Albany, 100 Opal Ct NE.
Aug. 13: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Columbia Bank Albany, 333 SW Ellsworth St.