The Knights of Columbus San Salvador Council 283 are hosting a blood drive to support our local hospitals and combat the blood shortage crisis impacting the country.

The American Red Cross has declared only the second national blood supply crisis in its history after blood donations fell to a four-year summer low, deepening an emergency shortage that threatens the availability of lifesaving blood for patients across the country. Hospitals are currently encountering a near unprecedented shortage of blood, and despite thousands of people answering the call to give, blood donations are not keeping pace with hospital demand.

Follow the link to register to donate:

The Knights of Columbus San Salvador Council 283 work closely with our community partners to ensure vital services are met wherever needs arise. Through our Disaster Preparedness Program, the Knights of Columbus work to meet the needs of those impacted during crisis, both locally and globally.

In 2026, as part of this commitment, our council has begun to organize a series of community blood drives to meet the blood shortage crisis impacting many of our regional hospitals.

2026 Knights of columbus blood drive

National Shrine of Saint Rita Of Cascia

SCHEDULE TO DONATE HERE

Please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter: “Cascia” to schedule an appointment.

Maximize your blood donation. Help more patients.

If you are an eligible type O, B - or A - donor, consider making a Power Red donation.

Red blood cells are the most commonly transfused blood component.

Our Local Hospitals are in desperate need of Blood

Hospitals are encountering a near unprecedented shortage of blood. All hospitals try to have a 4 day supply on hand, but we are currently encountering a crisis of blood availability! Please consider giving the gift of life to your neighbors in crisis.

All blood that is donated stays local, received by our Philadelphia area hospitals. Your gift of blood will go directly to give life-saving care to your neighbors in crisis.

Ever Wonder What Happens to Donated Blood?

Your blood journeys through many steps and tests that ensure our blood supply is as safe as possible and helps as many people as possible.

Learn About Each Step of the Blood Journey HERE

NEWS BREAK: American Red Cross Declares Second-Ever National

Blood Supply Crisis, Urges Immediate Blood Donations

Blood donations have fallen to a four-year summer low, worsening the emergency shortage and threatening patient care

The American Red Cross has declared only the second national blood supply crisis in its history after blood donations fell to a four-year summer low, deepening an emergency shortage that threatens the availability of lifesaving blood for patients across the country.

Despite thousands of people answering the call to give, blood donations are not keeping pace with hospital demand — which is up during the summer trauma season. Extreme heat, poor air quality and widespread foodborne illnesses are contributing to lower donor turnout this summer, further straining the nation’s blood supply.

As the nation's largest single provider of blood products, the Red Cross now has less than a one-day national supply of type O positive blood — the most commonly transfused blood type. To help ensure blood is available for patients facing the most critical, life-threatening emergencies across the country, the Red Cross has begun limiting distributions of type O blood to individual hospitals.

These blood supply challenges are being felt across the U.S. blood community. Many blood collectors have also reported critical shortages this summer.