As winter sets in, the American Red Cross and the National Football League (NFL) are teaming up for the sixth consecutive year to encourage blood donations during January’s National Blood Donor Month.
With severe winter weather and an active cold and flu season threatening to disrupt blood collection efforts, the call for donors is more urgent than ever. Last winter, severe weather caused approximately 16,000 blood and platelet donations to go uncollected, a loss that the Red Cross is determined to avoid this year.
“Severe winter weather is one of the biggest threats to maintaining a stable blood supply,” said Paul Sullivan, senior vice president of Donor Services for the American Red Cross. “Hazardous conditions not only lead to canceled blood drives but also complicate the delivery of blood products to hospitals, putting patient care at risk.”
A Chance to Score Big While Saving Lives
To motivate donors, the Red Cross and the NFL are offering anyone who donates blood or platelets from Jan. 1 to 26, will be entered for a chance to win a trip to Super Bowl LIX.
The grand prize includes tickets to the game, access to pre-game activities, the official Super Bowl Experience, round-trip airfare, three-night hotel accommodations, and a $1,000 gift card for expenses. More details can be found at RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl.
The Growing Need for Blood
The demand for blood never takes a break. Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood—whether it’s an accident victim, a transplant patient, or someone battling cancer or sickle cell disease. Type O negative blood and platelet donors are especially in demand, as their contributions are critical to emergency care and treatment.
Adding to the challenges, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported “high” respiratory virus activity across the country, including a rise in cases of the common cold, COVID-19, and RSV. Illness often prevents donors from keeping appointments, further straining the blood supply.
Why Donating Matters
Donating blood is one of the simplest yet most impactful ways to help save lives. Unlike other medical treatments, blood cannot be manufactured or stockpiled; it must be replenished constantly. For National Blood Donor Month, the Red Cross is honoring the unsung heroes who donate regularly.
One such hero is David Suggs, last year’s winner of the Super Bowl LVIII giveaway. “I’m not a firefighter or a first responder, but donating blood is something I can do to help others,” Suggs said. He and his wife, Christine, described their Super Bowl trip as a “once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
How to Donate
The Red Cross makes donating blood simple and accessible. Potential donors must bring a blood donor card, driver’s license, or two other forms of ID. Most individuals 17 years of age or older (16 with parental consent where state law allows), who weigh at least 110 pounds, and are in good health are eligible to donate. High school students and younger donors may have additional height and weight requirements.
To save time, donors can use RapidPass to help save time during blood or platelet donation by completing the pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online before arriving at a blood drive. Visit RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App for more information.
Join the Lifesaving Mission
This January, football fans and blood donors alike are invited to make a difference. Appointments can be made via the Red Cross Blood Donor App, by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
By giving blood, donors not only help patients in need but also contribute to a lifesaving mission that honors the spirit of National Blood Donor Month—one drop at a time.