The American Red Cross is urging blood donors to make appointments now to help ensure a stable blood supply through the busy holiday season and into early 2026. Donations of type O, A negative and B negative blood are especially needed.
With record-setting holiday travel underway, blood donations often decline at a time when patients continue to rely on lifesaving care. Weather disruptions and changing travel plans can also lead to canceled appointments, further tightening the blood supply. Red Cross officials encourage donors to give before traveling, calling it a simple way to make a critical difference.
Donors can schedule an appointment using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
As a holiday thank-you, those who donate between Dec. 19, 2025, and Jan. 4, 2026, will receive an exclusive Red Cross long-sleeved T-shirt while supplies last. In addition, donors who give between Jan. 1 and Jan. 25, 2026, will be automatically entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LX in the San Francisco Bay Area. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Gifts and RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl.
Those unable to donate blood can still support the Red Cross mission by making a financial contribution at redcross.org.
Upcoming local blood drives
Bartow County – Cartersville
Dec. 30, 2025 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m. — Cartersville Civic Center, 435 West Main St.
Dec. 30, 2025 | 2–6 p.m. — Cartersville Civic Center, 435 West Main St.
Floyd County – Rome
Jan. 2, 2026 | 11 a.m.–4 p.m. — American Red Cross NW Georgia Chapter, 112 John Maddox Dr. NW
Gordon County – Calhoun
Dec. 29, 2025 | 1–6 p.m. — First United Methodist Church Calhoun, 205 East Line St.
Polk County – Cedartown
Dec. 27, 2025 | 9 a.m.–2 p.m. — St. Bernadette Roman Catholic Church, 100 Evergreen Lane
How to donate
Appointments can be made through the Red Cross Blood Donor App, online at RedCrossBlood.org, by phone at 1-800-RED CROSS, or through the Blood Donor Skill on Alexa-enabled devices. Donors must present a blood donor card or a driver’s license, or two other forms of identification.
Most donors must be 17 years old (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in generally good health. Additional height and weight requirements apply for donors 18 and younger.
To save time, donors can complete their pre-donation reading and health history using RapidPass® on the day of their appointment by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or through the Blood Donor App.
