A 35% decrease in blood donations has overwhelmed hospitals across the nation, resulting in delays that could affect patients in critical care, according to the January 2026 Appeal by the American Red Cross published on Jan. 20. The shortage has been intensified by a brutal flu season and harsh winter weather. Not only are these factors overwhelming hospitals with increased patient volume, but they have also prevented blood donations from being collected.
To combat the shortage, Fullerton College will host its first Red Cross blood drive of the year on Feb. 24 in Building 200, Room 224, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Students and faculty are encouraged to “Save a life” by scheduling a donation appointment at RedCrossBlood.org using the sponsor code FC. Donors will be rewarded with a $20 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice.
Those interested in donating blood must meet the following eligibility requirements.
Aside from easing the lack of blood across America, donating blood is an undemanding way to give back to your community. An hour-long donation can save a life, specifically prolonging the lives of cancer patients, victims of traumatic injuries, and surgery patients.
In an Instagram post by the Fullerton College Student Health and Wellness Center, health benefits gathered from blood donors include: a reduction in the risk of certain cancers, strokes, and heart attacks; stimulation of new blood cell production, and a 650-calorie burn.
“I think it’s also important, because you kind of get to discover your blood type, like you could be a universal donor, and you don’t even know it because you haven’t donated yet,” said Maryana Paredes Campos, a pre-nursing student at Fullerton College. “And I think maybe once you acknowledge that information, that you would be more inclined to.”
This is not the first blood shortage Fullerton College has confronted, as the college aided the Red Cross during a previous shortage in August 2013. The Red Cross awarded FC’s Associated Students a Platinum award in 2015 for participating in the organization’s Community Volunteer Blood Program and donating 480 pints of blood in 2014. Blood drives are hosted semi-annually at Fullerton College.
If you do not meet the eligibility requirements, you can contribute to the Red Cross by exploring volunteer opportunities or providing a monetary donation through the organization’s website.
