Donors urged to support lifesaving care over the busy holiday season
Vermont Business Magazine The American Red Cross urges donors to make an appointment to give blood or platelets now to keep the blood supply as strong as possible in the final days of the year and into 2026. Types O, A negative and B negative blood donors are especially needed now.
Record-setting travel is happening across the country. With more people headed away from home, blood and platelet donations can dip at a crucial time when patients count on care. Bad weather or shifting travel schedules could force donors to cancel or reschedule donation appointments and tighten the blood supply. Make time to give before you go — it’s a simple way to make a lifesaving impact.
Give hope during the holidays and schedule a blood or platelet donation appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Those who come to give Dec. 19, 2025-Jan. 4, 2026, will receive an exclusive Red Cross long-sleeved T-shirt, while supplies last. See RedCrossBlood.org/Gifts for details.
As a special thank-you to donors for helping address the need for blood during the critical post-holiday time, those who come to give Jan. 1-25, 2026, will be automatically entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LX in the San Francisco Bay Area. See RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl for details.
If you’re unable to give blood or platelets, consider making a financial donation to support our lifesaving mission at redcross.org.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Dec. 22, 2025-Jan. 4, 2026:
Addison
Middlebury
12/30/2025: 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Vermont Cider Company, 1321 Exchange Street
Vergennes
12/30/2025: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Victory Baptist Church, 862 US-7
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Caledonia
East Burke
12/23/2025: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Burke Mountain Hotel and Conference Center, 2559 Mountain Road
Saint Johnsbury
12/29/2025: 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Northeastern VT Regional Hospital, 1315 Hospital Drive
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Chittenden
Shelburne
12/31/2025: 11:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Shelburne Town Center, 5420 Shelburne Road
South Burlington
12/23/2025: 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Temple Sinai South Burlington, 500 Swift St.
12/31/2025: 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., University Mall, 155 Dorset St
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Franklin
Saint Albans
12/24/2025: 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., St. Albans City Hall, 100 N. Main St.
12/31/2025: 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 11 Church Street
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Lamoille
Jeffersonville
1/3/2026: 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Cambridge Fire Department, 153 Church Street
Morrisville
1/2/2026: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., VFW, 28 Pleasant Street
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Orange
Randolph
12/26/2025: 12 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church, 43 Hebard Hill Rd
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Orleans
Derby
12/22/2025: 11:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Newport VT Elks #2155, 3736 US Route 5
Newport
12/29/2025: 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., Vermont Department of Health - Newport, 100 Main St
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Rutland
Rutland
12/29/2025: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Elks Lodge #345, 44-46 Pleasant Street
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Washington
Barre
1/2/2026: 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Rainbow Bridge Community Center, 81 N Main St
Berlin
12/30/2025: 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Central Vermont Medical Center, 130 Fisher Road
Montpelier
12/27/2025: 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St
Northfield
12/22/2025: 12:30 p.m. - 5 p.m., American Legion Post 63, 48 Depot Sq
Waitsfield
12/26/2025: 12 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Waitsfield United Church of Christ, 4335 Main St.
Waterbury
12/27/2025: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Waterbury Municipal Building, 28 North Main Street
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Windham
Brattleboro
12/24/2025: 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Winston Prouty Center - Thomas Hall, 209 Austine Drive
12/27/2025: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Winston Prouty Center - Thomas Hall, 209 Austine Drive
1/2/2026: 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., New England Center for Circus Arts, 10 Town Crier Drive
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Windsor
Bethel
12/26/2025: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Bethel White Church, 129 Church Street
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.
Amplify your impact − volunteer!
Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross is to become a volunteer blood donor ambassador at Red Cross blood drives. Blood donor ambassadors help greet, check in and thank blood donors to ensure they have a positive donation experience.
Volunteers can also serve as transportation specialists, playing a vital role in ensuring lifesaving blood products are delivered to nearby hospitals. For more information and to apply for either position visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
BURLINGTON, Vt., Dec. 22, 2025 — The American Red Cross
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