(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa chapter of the American Red Cross will be starting 2026 much as it always does, with a critical need for blood donors as blood supplies are dangerously low. Agency spokesman Josh Murray says he’s hoping the blood shortage in the new year makes people stop and think about what they can do to help year-round.

This year, the Red Cross held more than 12-hundred blood drives across Iowa and collected more than 30-thousand units of blood. Murray suggests if you’re pondering making a New Year’s resolution, consider resolving to give blood.

You can safely donate blood every 56 days and the process typically takes less than an hour, while the actual collection just lasts about ten minutes.

The blood is used for people facing life-threatening conditions like cancer, sickle cell disease, childbirth complications and traumatic injuries. He says patients rely on a consistent blood supply to survive and heal, and it’s the blood already on the shelves that helps save lives in an emergency.