Severe Blood Shortage: Give Blood To Win Tickets To The Super Bowl

The American Red Cross has issued an urgent plea to Quad Cities residents as the national blood supply faces a "severe shortage," dropping 35% in just the last month.

Hospital demand is currently outstripping supply, forcing medical professionals to make difficult choices regarding patient care. The crisis is being fueled by a "perfect storm" of the worst flu season in two decades and extreme winter weather that has sidelined donors and canceled hundreds of blood drives across the country.

A Supply Under Siege

The shortage is particularly desperate for platelets and blood types O, A negative, and B negative.

"Winter always puts pressure on the blood supply, and this year widespread flu and rough weather are making it even tougher," said Paul Sullivan, senior vice president of Red Cross donor services.

In the last month alone, nearly 400 blood drives were canceled due to winter storms—three times more than last year. With freezing temperatures expected to continue, the Red Cross warns that without immediate action, patients ranging from trauma victims and cancer patients to mothers in childbirth could face life-threatening delays.

Local Giving Opportunities

To combat this shortage during National Blood Donor Month, several donation sites are open across the Quad Cities and surrounding areas. Residents are encouraged to book an appointment immediately.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Jan. 20-Feb. 3:

Bureau

• Ohio
  1/23/2026: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Ohio High School, 103 S Memorial St
• Princeton
  2/3/2026: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Allegion-LCN, 1224 North Main Street

Cass

• Beardstown
  1/20/2026: 12 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Saint Johns Lutheran Church, 214 E 6th St

Henry

• Cambridge
  1/22/2026: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., St. John The Beloved, 313 S West Street
• Kewanee
  1/30/2026: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Wethersfield High School Key Club, 439 Willard St.

Knox

• Galesburg
  1/28/2026: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Galesburg Public Library, 264 W Main St

Mercer

• Aledo
  1/20/2026: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Mercer County YMCA, 401 SW 2nd Ave

Morgan

• Jacksonville
  1/26/2026: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Jacksonville First Christian Church, 2106 S Main St,

Rock Island

• Moline
  1/20/2026: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., American Red Cross of Quad Cities & Northwest Illinois, 1100 River Drive
• Rock Island
  1/28/2026: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Rock Island Arsenal Building 60, 3500 North Ave

Incentives for Donors

To thank those who step up during this crisis, the Red Cross is offering several "thank you" gifts:

Super Bowl Trip: Donate by Jan. 25 to be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LX in San Francisco. The prize includes tickets, airfare, hotel, and a $1,000 gift card.

$20 Gift Card: All donors who give between Jan. 26 and Feb. 28 will receive a $20 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice.

How to Help

Don’t wait until the shelves are empty. You can schedule an appointment today by:

• App: Downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App
• Online: Visiting RedCrossBlood.org
• Phone: Calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767)