LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — The American Red Cross of Southern Nevada is recognizing blood donors on World Blood Donor Day as scheduled donation appointments have dropped sharply nationwide.
Last year, more than 4 million people gave blood through the Red Cross, helping collect more than 4.6 million blood donations and 1.1 million platelet donations for patients across the country. Nearly 500,000 people donated blood for the first time, and the Red Cross also saw increased participation among Black, Latino and Gen Z donors.
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Scheduled blood donation appointments have dropped sharply nationwide, contributing to a decline of several thousand units in the blood supply in just one week as the summer donation slowdown begins.
“Modern medicine depends on having blood available when patients need it, and that supply starts with donors,” said Rachel Flanigan, executive director of the American Red Cross Southern Nevada Chapter. “World Blood Donor Day is a chance to recognize the people who make that care possible for trauma patients, new mothers, people with cancer and many others.”
Decline in scheduled donations
About 90% of blood donations come from scheduled appointments. In recent weeks, appointments have dropped sharply nationwide, contributing to a decline of several thousand units in just one week.
Blood donations often decrease during the summer as the school year ends, families travel and regular routines change. Hospitals continue to need blood every day. Blood has a shelf life of only 42 days.
Donors can view available times and schedule an appointment through the Red Cross Blood Donor App, by visiting redcross.org/GiveBlood or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.
Those who come to give blood June 1-28, 2026, will receive a $15 e-gift card and be entered for a chance to win one of two $7,500 gift cards.
World Blood Donor Day was established in 2004 by the World Health Organization, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and other global partners. It is held each year on June 14, the birthday of Dr. Karl Landsteiner, the Austrian physician and biologist whose identification of blood types helped make transfusions safer.
This year marks the 23rd World Blood Donor Day and Landsteiner’s 158th birthday.
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