Changes in routines, busy fall schedules can lead to fewer donors and blood products
Leave a lifesaving legacy this month in honor of Dr. Charles R. Drew
[CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO, Sept. 8, 2026] — The American Red Cross urges people not to wait to make a lifesaving impact this fall by scheduling a blood or platelet donation appointment in September. The blood supply remains vulnerable after recovering from critically low levels during a summer blood shortage, and now is the time for donors of all blood types to help patients who count on blood products for care.
Reserve a spot to give now. Visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App to schedule a blood or platelet donation appointment. Those who come to give Sept. 1-20, 2026, will receive an exclusive Red Cross x Hello Kitty ® plush mascot clip and surprise sticker pack, while supplies last! Visit RedCrossBlood.org/HelloKitty for details.
Those who come to give Sept. 21-Oct. 18, 2026, will receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice. See RedCrossBlood.org/Fall for details. Additionally, all who come to give Sept. 21-30, 2026, at Red Cross blood donation centers and mention the word “pickleball” to Red Cross staff or volunteers onsite can score a custom Red Cross pickleball paddle and ball (limited quantities available). Visit RedCrossBlood.org/FindADonationCenter for more information.
Leave a lifesaving legacy
Even as the seasons change, the need for blood does not. The mission of the Red Cross Blood Services remains constant — and carries on today thanks to the innovation and leadership of Dr. Charles R. Drew.
This year marks the 85th anniversary of Dr. Charles R. Drew’s appointment as the first medical director of the Red Cross Blood Program. To commemorate his lasting contributions, the Red Cross is releasing Iconic Excellence, a short documentary exploring Drew’s life and steadfast influence.
Beginning Sept. 18, the film will be available to stream on the Red Cross YouTube channel. Community members can help carry Drew’s legacy forward by donating blood or platelets, encouraging others to give or hosting a screening of the documentary to inspire lifesaving action. Learn more and get started at RedCrossBlood.org/IconicExcellence.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Sept. 8-30:
MISSOURI
Bollinger
Marble Hill
9/16/2026: 1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., St. Anthony Glennon Hall, Rural Route 2 box 1122
Patton
9/9/2026: 3 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Meadow Heights High School, 14571 MO-72
Zalma
9/29/2026: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., Zalma High School, 7013 School St
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Butler
Poplar Bluff
9/8/2026: 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., John J Pershing VA Medical Center – North Wing, 1500 N Westwood Blvd
9/9/2026: 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., John J Pershing VA Medical Center – North Wing, 1500 N Westwood Blvd
9/18/2026: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, 3100 Oak Grove Road
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Cape Girardeau
Cape Girardeau
9/8/2026: 12 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Cape Girardeau Blood Donation Center, 20 South Mt Auburn Road
9/9/2026: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Cape Girardeau County Public Health center, 1121 Linden St
9/10/2026: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., SoutheastHEALTH College of Nursing & Health Sciences, 2001 William Street
9/11/2026: 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Cape Girardeau Blood Donation Center, 20 South Mt Auburn Road
9/11/2026: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Lynwood Baptist Church, 2935 Lynwood Hills Drive
9/12/2026: 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Cape Girardeau Blood Donation Center, 20 South Mt Auburn Road
9/13/2026: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Cape Girardeau Blood Donation Center, 20 South Mt Auburn Road
9/14/2026: 12 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Cape Girardeau Blood Donation Center, 20 South Mt Auburn Road
9/15/2026: 12 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Cape Girardeau Blood Donation Center, 20 South Mt Auburn Road
9/18/2026: 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Cape Girardeau Blood Donation Center, 20 South Mt Auburn Road
9/19/2026: 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Cape Girardeau Blood Donation Center, 20 South Mt Auburn Road
9/20/2026: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Cape Girardeau Blood Donation Center, 20 South Mt Auburn Road
9/21/2026: 12 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Cape Girardeau Blood Donation Center, 20 South Mt Auburn Road
9/22/2026: 12 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Cape Girardeau Blood Donation Center, 20 South Mt Auburn Road
9/25/2026: 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Cape Girardeau Blood Donation Center, 20 South Mt Auburn Road
9/26/2026: 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Cape Girardeau Blood Donation Center, 20 South Mt Auburn Road
9/27/2026: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Cape Girardeau Blood Donation Center, 20 South Mt Auburn Road
9/28/2026: 12 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Cape Girardeau Blood Donation Center, 20 South Mt Auburn Road
9/29/2026: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Cape Girardeau Career and Tech Center, 1080 South Silver Springs Road
9/29/2026: 12 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Cape Girardeau Blood Donation Center, 20 South Mt Auburn Road
9/30/2026: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Nell Holcomb School, 6547 State Highway 177
Jackson
9/10/2026: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Knights of Columbus Hall 6405, 3305 N High St
9/14/2026: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., American Legion Hall, 319 North High Street
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Dunklin
Campbell
9/30/2026: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Campbell Elementary Gym Building, 801 MO-53
Kennett
9/17/2026: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Kennett Board of Public Works, 205 Carey St
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Iron
Pilot Knob
9/28/2026: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Elks Lodge, 204 South McCune Street
Viburnum
9/16/2026: 1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Viburnum High School, 35 MO-49
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Madison
Marquand
9/28/2026: 12 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Marquand Zion High School, 205 East Morley
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New Madrid
Matthews
9/15/2026: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Caring Hands Home Care, 16287 US-61
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Pemiscot
Hayti
9/17/2026: 8 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Pemiscot County Career and Technology Center, 1317 W Hwy 84
Wardell
9/9/2026: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., North Pemiscot County High School, 102 School Street
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Perry
Altenburg
9/28/2026: 1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 57 Church St
Perryville
9/8/2026: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Perry Park Center, 800 City Park Drive
9/14/2026: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Mercy Hospital – Perry, 434 North West Street
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Scott
Chaffee
9/28/2026: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Chaffee High School, 517 West Yoakum
Sikeston
9/29/2026: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1010 North Main Street
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Stoddard
Dexter
9/16/2026: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Mercy Hospital Stoddard, 1200 N 1 Mile Rd
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Wayne
Greenville
9/29/2026: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Greenville High School, 178 Walnut Street
ILLINOIS
Jackson
Campbell Hill
9/17/2026: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Campbell Hill Community Center, 213 South Dean
Carbondale
9/8/2026: 7 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Illinois Department of Transportation, 2801 West Murphysboro Road
Murphysboro
9/9/2026: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., American Legion Post 127, 1700 Gartside
9/17/2026: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Jackson County Health Department, 415 Health Department Road
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Union
Anna
9/18/2026: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Main Street Center, 400 South Main
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.