The American Red Cross is calling on Americans to donate blood and platelets as an ongoing national blood crisis continues to put pressure on supplies needed for patient care.
The organization said August appointments will be particularly important for rebuilding the blood supply during the final weeks of summer. According to the Red Cross, adding just three more donors at every blood drive could help stabilize inventories and ensure hospitals continue receiving lifesaving blood products.
Blood Supply Remains Under Severe Pressure
The Red Cross issued what it described as only the second blood crisis in its history in late July. Thousands of people have responded by donating, but supplies remain strained as communities move toward back-to-school schedules and families make final summer travel plans.
Seasonal changes can reduce donor availability, making it more difficult to maintain adequate inventories. The challenge is particularly significant this year because the Red Cross said the blood supply has already reached a four-year summer low.
Blood and platelet donations support patients undergoing surgeries, cancer treatment and other medical procedures, as well as people receiving emergency care. Maintaining a steady supply requires donations to continue even after the initial response to a shortage.
The Red Cross is therefore asking eligible donors of every blood type to continue making appointments rather than assuming the recent increase in donations has resolved the crisis.
August Donations Could Help Stabilize Supplies
The organization said people who cannot personally donate can still help by encouraging eligible friends, relatives and colleagues to participate.
As an incentive, everyone who comes to donate between Aug. 1 and Aug. 31, 2026, will receive a $20 Amazon Gift Card by email.
The Red Cross said: “Keep up the momentum and help reverse the blood crisis. Book an appointment to give blood now by using the Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).”
Donation opportunities are scheduled throughout western North Carolina during the remainder of August, including drives in Asheville, Hendersonville, Waynesville, Franklin, Marion, Brevard, Bryson City and other communities.
Asheville has one of the most extensive schedules. The Asheville Blood Donation Center at 100 Edgewood Road is hosting appointments on multiple days through Aug. 31. Additional Asheville drives are planned at the Buncombe County Employees Administration Building, The Van Winkle Law Firm, Abernethy United Methodist Church, Chick-fil-A and the University of North Carolina Asheville.
Blood Drives Scheduled Across Western North Carolina
Other communities also have donation events scheduled throughout the month. Hendersonville locations include the YMCA Hendersonville, Ebenezer Baptist Church, the American Red Cross facility on First Avenue East, St. James Episcopal Church, St. John in the Wilderness and Fruitland Baptist Bible College.
In Haywood County, drives are planned in Canton, Clyde and Waynesville. Locations include Center Pigeon Fire Department, Haywood County Health and Human Services, Haywood Regional Health & Fitness Center, First Baptist Church Waynesville and First United Methodist Church.
Western Carolina University in Cullowhee will host blood drives on Aug. 25 and Aug. 26, while Harris Regional Hospital in Sylva will host a drive on Aug. 27. McDowell County events include McDowell Tech College, the Marion Community Building and the WNC Bigfoot Festival.
Additional donation opportunities are scheduled in communities including Crossnore, Newland, Murphy, Hayesville, East Flat Rock, Fletcher, Cashiers, Highlands, Columbus, Ellenboro, Rutherfordton, Cherokee and Burnsville.
The Red Cross is emphasizing that the national shortage has not ended despite the response from donors since late July. With the traditional late-summer decline in donor availability continuing, the organization says maintaining appointment levels through the end of August will be critical to rebuilding supplies and protecting access to blood products for patients who need them.
