EMERGENCY SHORTAGE: Donors needed now to stop alarming drop in Red Cross blood supply-Summer blood donations far lower than needed as hospitals work to protect patient care
 
INDIANA- The American Red Cross is declaring an emergency blood shortage as the blood supply fell nearly 25% in June. Blood donors are urgently needed to give now to help ensure patients receive lifesaving medical care without delay. The shortage is especially serious for types O positive and B negative blood.
 
A steep decline in blood donations since the end of May has created a growing gap between supply and patient need. Currently, Red Cross distributions to hospitals are nearly 3,500 units higher per week than expected at a time when hospitals often see higher demand for blood products during the height of trauma season. On top of that, busy schedules and the seasonal loss of school blood drives are driving the decline which could put patient care at risk if not reversed.
 
The most important way to help end the blood shortage is to 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). As a thank-you, all who come to give July 13-31, 2026, will receive a Fandango Movie Ticket by email (up to $15 ticket price and fees). Additional details can be found at RedCrossBlood.org/July.
 
Blood supply misconceptions
Every donation is critical to rebuilding the nation’s blood supply, yet many people may not realize the significant impact a single donation can have on patients in need. A recent Red Cross survey revealed a significant gap between public perception and the reality of the nation’s blood supply:
 
• Less than 1 in 5 respondents understood that blood cannot be stockpiled because it has a limited shelf life and must be continually replenished through volunteer donors.
 
• Only about half believed it was very likely that they or someone close to them would need blood one day— even though someone in the U.S. receives a blood transfusion every two seconds.
 
“A readily available blood supply serves as the backbone of modern medicine. Without it, lifesaving treatments and critical access points to care are not possible,” said Dr. Courtney Lawrence, medical director for the Red Cross. “Emergency departments, operating rooms, and labor and delivery units can’t support patients with the most urgent needs, and cancer patients must wait. We’re asking donors to give now before doctors are forced to make those difficult decisions.”
 
Upcoming blood donation opportunities July 13-31:
Cass County
Walton
7/14/2026: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Walton Community Center, 106 Depot St
 
Elkhart County
Elkhart
7/16/2026: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Lochmandy Motors, 920 N Nappanee St
7/21/2026: 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Northside Baptist Church, 53198 C.R. 9
2026-APL-0472
Goshen
7/13/2026: 12 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Goshen Blood Donation Center, 1123 South Indiana
7/14/2026: 12 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., Goshen Blood Donation Center, 1123 South Indiana
7/15/2026: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Pleasant View Church, 58529 CR 23
7/15/2026: 12 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., Goshen Blood Donation Center, 1123 South Indiana
7/16/2026: 11 a.m. – 5:15 p.m., Goshen Blood Donation Center, 1123 South Indiana
7/17/2026: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Goshen Hospital, 200 High Park Ave
7/17/2026: 7 a.m. – 1:15 p.m., Goshen Blood Donation Center, 1123 South Indiana
7/18/2026: 7 a.m. – 1:15 p.m., Goshen Blood Donation Center, 1123 South Indiana
7/19/2026: 7 a.m. – 1 p.m., Goshen Blood Donation Center, 1123 South Indiana
7/20/2026: 12 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Goshen Blood Donation Center, 1123 South Indiana
7/21/2026: 12 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., Goshen Blood Donation Center, 1123 South Indiana
7/22/2026: 12 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., Goshen Blood Donation Center, 1123 South Indiana
7/23/2026: 11 a.m. – 5:15 p.m., Goshen Blood Donation Center, 1123 South Indiana
7/24/2026: 7 a.m. – 1:15 p.m., Goshen Blood Donation Center, 1123 South Indiana
7/25/2026: 7 a.m. – 1:15 p.m., Goshen Blood Donation Center, 1123 South Indiana
7/26/2026: 7 a.m. – 1 p.m., Goshen Blood Donation Center, 1123 South Indiana
7/27/2026: 12 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Goshen Blood Donation Center, 1123 South Indiana
7/28/2026: 12 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., Goshen Blood Donation Center, 1123 South Indiana
7/29/2026: 12 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., Goshen Blood Donation Center, 1123 South Indiana
7/30/2026: 11 a.m. – 5:15 p.m., Goshen Blood Donation Center, 1123 South Indiana
7/31/2026: 7 a.m. – 1:15 p.m., Goshen Blood Donation Center, 1123 South Indiana
 
Middlebury
7/21/2026: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Essenhaus Inn & Conference Center, 240 US-20
 
Nappanee
7/28/2026: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Nappanee Missionary Church, 70417 S.R. 19 North
 
Fulton County
Rochester
7/17/2026: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Woodlawn Hospital, 1400 E. Ninth St.
7/23/2026: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Rochester Church of Christ, 120 E. 5th Street
 
Jasper County
 
Demotte
7/16/2026: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., American Reformed Church, 1021 S. Halleck St.
 
Rensselaer
7/30/2026: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Knights of Columbus – Rensselaer, 325 E. Vine St.
 
Lake County
 
Cedar Lake
7/15/2026: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Lighthouse Church, 13419 Parrish Avenue
Crown Point
7/17/2026: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Steamwhistle Coffee Roasters, 924 S Court Street
7/21/2026: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Crown Point Fire Rescue, 126 N East Street
7/22/2026: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Holy Spirit Church, 7667 East 109th Avenue
7/29/2026: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Bulldog Park, 183 S west Street
Dyer
7/30/2026: 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Village Church, 14849 93rd Avenue
Hammond
7/14/2026: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Hammond Police Department, 509 East Douglas S
7/25/2026: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Northgate Church, 2820 165th St
Highland
7/13/2026: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Wicker Memorial Park, 2215 Ridge Rd.
7/27/2026: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Wicker Memorial Park, 2215 Ridge Rd.
Hobart
7/27/2026: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Hobart Community Center, 111 E Old Ridge Road
Lowell
7/23/2026: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., VFW Post 6841, 17401 Morse Street
Merrillville
7/13/2026: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., American Red Cross, 791 E. 83rd Ave
7/20/2026: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., American Red Cross, 791 E. 83rd Ave
7/24/2026: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., American Red Cross, 791 E. 83rd Ave
7/24/2026: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., St. Mary Orthodox Center, 8600 Grand Blvd
7/27/2026: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., American Red Cross, 791 E. 83rd Ave
Munster
7/31/2026: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Westminster Presbyterian Church, 8955 Columbia Rd
Saint John
7/24/2026: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church, 9770 Keilman Street
7/29/2026: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., VFW Memorial Post 717, 10400 W 93rd Avenue
Schererville
7/23/2026: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., St. Michael the Archangel Parish, 1 Wilhelm St.
7/26/2026: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Lake Hills Fire Department, 9105 W 85th Ave
7/30/2026: 12:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. John Township Community Center, 1515 Lincoln Highway
 
LaPorte County
Hanna
7/18/2026: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Hanna United Methodist Church, 101 W. Hopper Street
LaPorte
7/13/2026: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., First Church of God, 2020 East Lincolnway
7/18/2026: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., IBEW 531, 2751 North State Road 39
7/28/2026: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., NorthWest Health La Porte Hospital, 1331 State St
Michigan City
7/21/2026: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., American Legion Post 37, 756 E. US HWY 20
 
Marshall County
Bremen
7/29/2026: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., St. Isidore Hall, 803 W. Bike St.
Plymouth
7/16/2026: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Plymouth Columbus Club, 901 East Jefferson St.
7/29/2026: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Plymouth Fire Department, 111 N. Center St.
 
Newton County
Kentland
7/23/2026: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Autumn Trace Senior Communities, 500 N Ade St
 
Porter County
Chesterton
2026-APL-0472
7/14/2026: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Chesterton Town Hall, 726 Broadway
7/19/2026: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., St. Patrick Catholic Church, 638 North Calumet Road
7/27/2026: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Ebb & Flow Yoga, 206 S Calumet Rd
Portage
7/17/2026: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., YMCA of Portage, 3100 Willowcreek Rd.
7/31/2026: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Portage City Hall, 6070 Central Ave
Valparaiso
7/15/2026: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Heritage Lutheran Church, 308 N Washington Street
7/16/2026: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 505 Bullseye Lake Road
7/20/2026: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., St. Teresa of Avila, 1604 East Lincolnway
7/22/2026: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., YMCA Valparaiso, 1201 Cumberland Crossin
7/28/2026: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Our Lady of Sorrows, 356 West 700 North
 
Pulaski County
Winamac
7/29/2026: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Pulaski County Highway Department, 1131 US-35
 
St Joseph County
Granger
7/21/2026: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Knollwood Country Club, 16633 Baywood Ln
South Bend
7/28/2026: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, 53995 State Hwy 933
Starke County
Knox
7/14/2026: 12:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Knox Community Center, 55 East Lake Street
North Judson
7/23/2026: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., United Methodist Church, 210 West Central Avenue
 
Tippecanoe County
Lafayette
7/14/2026: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Northend Community Center, 2000 Elmwood Avenue
7/16/2026: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Mary Cathedral, 1207 Columbia St
7/24/2026: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., IU Health Arnett Hospital, 5165 McCarty Lane
7/28/2026: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., The Springs at Lafayette, 2402 South Street
7/30/2026: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Rosewalk Village of Lafayette, 1903 Union St
7/31/2026: 11:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Northend Community Center, 2000 Elmwood Avenue
West Lafayette
7/21/2026: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Faith West, 1920 Northwestern Avenue
 
White County
Monticello
7/15/2026: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., IU Health White Memorial Hospital, 720 South 6th Street