The American Red Cross is urging people to donate blood due to a severe shortage. How you can help.

In total, seven blood drives were canceled across the region, including in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana Counties. Additionally, more than 250 pints of blood were unable to be collected.

The demand from hospitals has outpaced the supply of blood, the Red Cross said.

The cancellations follow more than 400 blood drives that were called off nationwide in December 2025 due to severe weather, according to the American Red Cross. Jade Poe, executive director of the American Red Cross for Central and Northern Missouri, said weather-related disruptions do not reduce the need for blood.

As winter months put pressure on the nation's blood supply, the American Red Cross says it's facing a severe blood shortage. Jennifer Graham, CEO of the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Region,

The American Red Cross hosted a blood drive at the Idaho State Capitol on Jan. 28 amid a nationwide shortage, emphasizing the urgent need for lifesaving donations.

New Jersey extended its blood shortage emergency for another two weeks after severe winter weather brought life-saving donations to a halt, and the American Red Cross is offering $20 gift cards to people who donate blood or platelets from now until Wednesday.

With a severe blood shortage and winter weather canceling thousands of donations nationwide, volunteers at Tulsa’s American Red Cross Blood and Platelet Donation Center worked around the clock to keep deliveries on schedule.

According to the American Red Cross, every 2 seconds in the United States, blood is needed.To that end, Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack hosted the 40th a