The American Red Cross issued an appeal for donors after winter storms and cold has depleted a national blood supply already struggling with a serious shortage.
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The organization is asking individuals of all blood types to schedule appointments for blood or platelet donations to offset the impact of the weather.
Since the start of 2026, more than 500 blood drives have been canceled across the country due to dangerous conditions. The cancellations have resulted in more than 20,000 uncollected blood and platelet donations, according to the Red Cross.
The impact has been felt locally in Southeastern Pennsylvania after 13 blood drives were affected, which has led to nearly 350 uncollected donations.
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Beyond the cancellations, the Red Cross stated that hazardous road conditions have interrupted the transportation of vital blood products and disrupted deliveries to hospitals in some areas.
The shortfall is already affecting patient care. Some hospitals have been forced to cancel elective procedures to preserve limited supplies, the Red Cross said.
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Red Cross officials warned that when inventories reach critically low levels, trauma surgeons and physicians may face difficult decisions over which patients can move forward with treatment and who must wait.
“Now is the time to give blood or platelets before doctors have to face difficult decisions about which patients can safely move forward with treatment,” the organization said in a statement.
Some upcoming blood donation events in Bucks County:
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Bristol
2/21/2026: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., St. Mark’s School, 1024 Radcliff St.
Chalfont
2/28/2026: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Bharatiya Temple, Inc., 1612 County Line Road
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Doylestown
2/25/2026: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Fred Beans Subaru, 854 N. Easton Road
Langhorne
2/27/2026: 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Jefferson Bucks Hospital, 380 Oxford Valley Road
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New Hope
2/26/2026: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., New Hope Eagle Fire Company No. 46, 46 N. Sugan Road
Newtown
2/26/2026: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Crossing Community Church, 80 Lower Silver Lake Road
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Southampton
2/23/2026: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 877 Street Road
Langhorne Blood Donation Center
100 N. Bucks Town Drive, Suite 204, Langhorne
- Tuesday-Wednesday 11:45 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Thursday: 10:15 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
- Saturday: 7:15 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
