Red Cross Urges Immediate Blood Donations Amid Summer Shortages, Offers Incentives

The American Red Cross is urging eligible donors to give blood or platelets to help stabilize the national supply, with a special emphasis on Type O blood donations. Critical shortages can occur suddenly, potentially jeopardizing care for trauma victims, cancer patients and new mothers, officials warned Tuesday.

To encourage participation, the Red Cross is offering several incentives. Donors who give by July 31 will receive a Fandango Movie Reward via email. Those who donate between Aug. 1-28 will be eligible for a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. Additionally, successful August donors will receive a free A1C test—used to screen for prediabetes and diabetes—limited to one test result per 12 months.

“Even a strong blood supply can drop quickly,” the Red Cross said in a statement, adding that maintaining availability through the summer is vital to ongoing patient care.

Appointments can be made by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

Here are details on upcoming blood donation opportunities in Pasadena:

7/22/2025: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Pasadena Highlands, 1575 E Washington Blvd

7/22/2025: 12:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., Pasadena Blood Donation Center, 2471 E. Walnut St, Suite 103

7/23/2025: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Eaton Canyon Golf Course, 1150 Sierra Madre Villa Ave

7/23/2025: 12:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., Pasadena Blood Donation Center, 2471 E. Walnut St, Suite 103

7/24/2025: 11 a.m. – 5:45 p.m., Pasadena Blood Donation Center, 2471 E. Walnut St, Suite 103

7/25/2025: 8:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m., Pasadena Blood Donation Center, 2471 E. Walnut St, Suite 103

7/26/2025: 8 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Pasadena Blood Donation Center, 2471 E. Walnut St, Suite 103

7/27/2025: 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Pasadena Blood Donation Center, 2471 E. Walnut St, Suite 103

7/28/2025: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., St Andrew Catholic Church, 42 Chestnut St

7/28/2025: 12:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., Pasadena Blood Donation Center, 2471 E. Walnut St, Suite 103

7/29/2025: 12:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., Pasadena Blood Donation Center, 2471 E. Walnut St, Suite 103

7/30/2025: 12:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., Pasadena Blood Donation Center, 2471 E. Walnut St, Suite 103

7/30/2025: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., LACERA, 300 N Lake Ave

7/31/2025: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Pasadena Scottish Rite, 150 N Madison Ave

7/31/2025: 11 a.m. – 5:45 p.m., Pasadena Blood Donation Center, 2471 E. Walnut St, Suite 103

7/31/2025: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., City of Pasadena Police Department, 207 N Garfield Ave

8/1/2025: 8:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m., KLOS Radio – Pasadena Blood Donation Center, 133 N Altadena Dr

8/2/2025: 8 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., KLOS Radio – Pasadena Blood Donation Center, 133 N Altadena Dr

8/3/2025: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., St Philip the Apostle Church, 151 S Hill Ave

8/3/2025: 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Pasadena Blood Donation Center, 2471 E. Walnut St, Suite 103

8/4/2025: 12:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., Pasadena Blood Donation Center, 2471 E. Walnut St, Suite 103

8/5/2025: 12:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., Pasadena Blood Donation Center, 2471 E. Walnut St, Suite 103

8/6/2025: 12:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., Pasadena Blood Donation Center, 2471 E. Walnut St, Suite 103

8/7/2025: 11 a.m. – 5:45 p.m., Pasadena Blood Donation Center, 2471 E. Walnut St, Suite 103