Blood Donation Need Following Harsh Milwaukee Winter Weather
Versiti calls on community to donate as weather conditions improve
MILWAUKEE – (January 27, 2026) – Winter weather across Wisconsin has temporarily disrupted blood drives, closed some donation centers, and reduced donor turnout. While conditions are improving, the past week’s weather has affected the blood supply in Wisconsin. In this short period, numerous donation appointments were canceled due to weather and closures. Unfortunately, blood cannot be stockpiled. When donations pause, local patients still need care for surgeries, trauma responses, cancer treatments, and emergency transfusions.
This disruption is temporary. As weather conditions improve in Wisconsin, all Versiti centers and community blood drives will resume normal operations. Donating in the days ahead is an immediate way to help restore stability for hospitals and patients.
“We are grateful to our donors, coordinators, and Versiti teams who have adapted to recent weather challenges,” said Lauren Patzman, director of donor services at Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin. “As conditions improve, a donation this week can support multiple patients. By showing up for one another, we help ensure continued care for Wisconsin communities.”
If you are healthy and able to donate, now is a powerful time to act:
- Keep your upcoming appointment if conditions are safe, reschedule visits that were canceled.
- Encourage others: Tell colleagues, friends, and family to give when travel allows.
- Safety always comes first: For our donors, our partners, and our teams.
Versiti is urgently seeking O-negative and O-positive blood donors. These universal types can be transfused to all patients, including trauma victims, cancer patients, and those undergoing surgery.
Platelets are also in constant demand for cancer patients, trauma survivors, and premature babies, and they remain viable for only five to seven days outside the body. Like blood, platelets cannot be manufactured.
Donor Center Locations:
- GREENFIELD: 7210 W. Edgerton Ave.
- KENOSHA: 8064 39th Ave.
- LA CROSSE: 1800 Jackson St.
- MANITOWOC: 619 Reed Ave.
- MARSHFIELD: 508 N. Central Ave.
- MILWAUKEE (Versiti on King): 2153 N Martin Luther King Jr Drive
- MILWAUKEE: 638 North 18th St.
- RACINE: 1120 S. Sunnyslope Drive
- WAUKESHA: 2111 Springdale Road
- WAUWATOSA: 8733 Watertown Plank Road
- WEST BEND: 130 Valley Ave.
Donating blood takes about an hour, with the actual donation itself taking 10 to 15 minutes. Anyone aged 17 years or older who is in good health and meets eligibility requirements is encouraged to give. Parental consent is required for donors who are 16 years old. Donors should bring a photo ID that includes their birth date.
Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are always welcome. To schedule an appointment, visit Versiti.org or call 877-232-4376.
About Versiti
Versiti, a national leader in blood health innovation, was formed with the mission to improve the health of patients and enable the success of our healthcare partners nationally. We provide innovative, value-added solutions in the fields of transfusion medicine, transplantation, and blood-related diseases to meet the needs of each of our customers. The collective efforts across Versiti result in improved patient outcomes, expanded access to care, and cost efficiencies for healthcare systems nationwide. For more information, visit Versiti.org.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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