American Red Cross Encourages Blood Donations during Holiday Season
The American Red Cross is asking people to donate blood or platelets in the coming weeks, citing the usual drop in donations that often accompanies holiday travel and winter weather.
According to The Oregonian, the organization said late December is typically a challenging period for blood collection, as more people leave town, schedules become unpredictable and bad weather can lead to canceled appointments.
At the same time, the Red Cross said, hospitals continue to rely on a steady blood supply for surgeries, cancer treatments, emergency care and patients with ongoing medical needs.
The Red Cross said donors with Type O, A negative and B negative blood are especially needed, because those types are frequently used in emergencies and for patients with limited matching options. The organization said blood collected during this time helps support hospitals into early January, when donation rates often remain lower than average.
A Red Cross Blood Drive sponsored by VFW Post 2302 will be held Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Fruitdale Grange, 1440 Parkdale Drive. Appointments can be scheduled through the Red Cross blood donor app, at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-733-2726.
Posted on 12/24/25 8:18AM by Alex Bauer
