American Red Cross Receives Over $7 Million to Expand Blood Services and Disaster Response
The American Red Cross is receiving a donation of more than $7 million. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced on October 22, 2026, that it is providing more than US$7 million to support American Red Cross blood collection and disaster response efforts in the United States, along with an additional $850,000 to assist relief efforts following Super Typhoon Sinlaku, which struck in April 2026.
According to the Church's newsroom, the donation includes $2.937 million for blood services medical equipment, $2 million for the Red Cross Sickle Cell Initiative, $800,000 for 50 additional Power Red collection machines, $710,000 for improvements and expansion of the Red Cross blood laboratory in Murray, Utah, and $600,000 for four emergency response vehicles.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to strengthen the American Red Cross's ability to care for people facing serious illness and communities recovering from disasters,” said Bishop W. Christopher Waddell, Presiding Bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “As followers of Jesus Christ, we seek to care for our neighbors, lift burdens and bring hope to individuals and families in times of need.”
“This gift will strengthen several parts of the Red Cross mission,” said Heidi Ruster, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross Utah/Nevada Region. “The investment in Murray also strengthens our capacity here in Utah for years to come.” American Red Cross CEO Cliff Holtz said the Church “has led the way in helping the Red Cross deliver our mission,” adding, “We are deeply grateful for the Church's unwavering partnership and extraordinary generosity year after year, helping us provide critical disaster relief and lifesaving blood to those in need.” Blaine Maxfield, the Church's Welfare and Self-Reliance Managing Director, said the donation is an investment that strengthens both the American Red Cross and those who rely on its services.
The Church's relationship with the American Red Cross dates back more than a century. In 1996, the Church held its first Red Cross blood drive and has since become the organization's largest single contributor to blood drives. Church members donate approximately 97,000 units of blood each year through thousands of drives, and over the past three decades, more than 1 million units of blood have been collected through over 37,000 Church-hosted blood drives. In 2025, the Church donated $5.1 million to bolster blood collection equipment and programs benefiting people with sickle cell disease; in 2024, it contributed $7.35 million.
Support for the American Red Cross is part of the Church's broader global effort to care for those in need. In 2025, the Church's commitment to welfare, self-reliance, humanitarian aid, emergency relief, and volunteer service had expenditures totaling $1.58 billion. The Church provided assistance in 196 countries and territories, including 3,514 humanitarian projects worldwide, and Church members volunteered 7.4 million hours of service.
Source: GSM·USA
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 美国红十字会采血服务现场（耶稣基督后期圣徒教会新闻室官方照片） American Red Cross blood services (official photo via the Church of Jesus Christ Newsroom)
