American Red Cross - Minnesota and Dakotas Region

Growing our Capacity to Save Lives!

Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs lifesaving blood. In an emergency, it is the blood products already on shelves that help to save lives. To meet the growing need within our communities, the Red Cross serving Minnesota is excited to announce the addition of a new Blood Donation Center coming to Blaine in 2025.  

Just like patients in need who rely on the generosity of blood donors rolling up their sleeves, we rely on the support of financial donors to fulfill our lifesaving mission and to expand our capacity to impact the communities we serve. You can help us bring this site to life with a gift donation today.

The Need

Our aging population requires more blood products for more aggressive treatments for some diseases, including cancer. In fact, 25% of the U.S. blood supply is given to patients during cancer treatments. As new cancer cases rise — an estimated 36% by 2040 — so will the demand for blood products. 

The Plan

With the addition of the Blaine Blood Donation Center, we expect to grow our collections in the region by an additional 1,976 units of platelets and more than 3,120 units of red blood cells during the first year of operation alone. After three years of operation, we hope to grow collections to approximately 10,000 platelet units and 7,000+ red blood cell units.

Our Impact

The American Red Cross helps meet the constant demand for blood by providing about 40% of the nation’s blood supply — more than any other blood bank in the U.S.  In Minnesota, we have more than 70 hospital partners that rely on lifesaving blood for patients in need.

A Story of Hope: Finn’s Story 

Finn Ward was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia in July 2021. His mom, Ivy Ward, has been a long-time blood donor but didn’t realize how much cancer patients rely on donations.   

“Without donated blood products, he wouldn’t be here today,” she said.  

In just the last 2 years, Finn has received more than 25 blood and platelet products. Ivy has become a strong advocate for blood and platelet donation to ensure Finn and patients like him have had access to the treatments they need. Stories like Finn’s are what inspire us to continue establishing our presence in new communities, making blood donation more accessible than ever before.  

Finn and his mother, Ivy 

Your Gift 

Will help to ensure lifesaving blood products are on the shelves before they are needed.  

  Will allow the Red Cross to maintain a steady supply of life saving blood for patients in need of critical care.

Will help create health equity and access by supporting free health assessments before every donation.

Will be an investment in the health infrastructure of Minnesota.