TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – The American Red Cross is issuing a severe blood shortage warning after the national blood supply dropped by about 35% over the past month.<\/p>\n
Experts said a combination of winter weather and seasonal illness has significantly impacted blood donations nationwide. Severe weather has caused hundreds of blood drives to be canceled, according to the American Red Cross. <\/p>\n
While North Florida has avoided the worst winter conditions seen in other parts of the country, illness during the winter months has still made it difficult for many donors to keep their appointments.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of sickness that floats around during the winter months, so obviously if folks are not feeling healthy, we don\u2019t necessarily want them to donate blood,\u201d said Hannah Marchbanks, regional philanthropy officer with the American Red Cross.<\/p>\n
The shortage is especially serious for O, A negative and B negative blood types, which are frequently needed in emergencies, according to the organization.<\/p>\n
More Tallahassee News<\/p>\n
Marchbanks said national shortages often trickle down to the local level.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery two seconds, someone across the United States is in need of blood,\u201d she said. \u201cThere are a variety of reasons as to why someone might need blood, whether it\u2019s to help with a chronic illness, a trauma-related issue like a car accident, childbirth, or cancer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Locally, the Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross has only been collecting blood donations for the past few years and has relied on support from teams in Georgia and Alabama to help meet demand in North Florida.<\/p>\n
The Red Cross is urging eligible donors to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Eligibility varies, but common reasons someone may not be able to donate include cold or flu symptoms, low iron levels, or recent international travel.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s a list of upcoming blood drives happening in Tallahassee:<\/p>\n
Saturday, Feb. 14, 10 a.m.\u20132 p.m.<\/p>\n
American Red Cross chapter<\/p>\n
Easterwood Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32311<\/p>\n
Friday, Feb. 20, 11 a.m.\u20134 p.m.<\/p>\n
American Red Cross chapter<\/p>\n
Easterwood Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32311<\/p>\n
Friday, Feb. 27, 12\u20135 p.m.<\/p>\n
FAMU Efferson Student Union<\/p>\n
1628 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32307<\/p>\n
Monday, March 2, 1\u20136 p.m.<\/p>\n
John Paul II Catholic High School<\/p>\n
5100 Terrebonne Dr., Tallahassee, FL 32311<\/p>\n
For more blood drive times and locations, visit www.redcross.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n To keep up with the latest news as it develops, follow WCTV on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, Nextdoor<\/a> <\/a>and X<\/a> (Twitter<\/a>).<\/p>\n Have a news tip or see an error? Write to us here<\/a>. Please include the article\u2019s headline in your message.<\/p>\n Be the first to see all the biggest headlines by downloading the WCTV News app. Click here<\/a> to get started.<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 WCTV. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n