Winter Weather Alert – Blood Donors Needed Now!
MILWAUKEE, WI – Jan. 22, 2026 – Winter weather forecasts are signaling severe conditions across Wisconsin and the Midwest. While forecasts can change, one fact remains: when winter hits, blood donations often slow, and patients still rely on lifesaving blood supplies.
Eligible donors are encouraged to donate before extreme weather arrives. A quick visit to a donor center now helps ensure that lifesaving blood is available, regardless of what winter may bring.
All blood types are needed, but 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.
If you’re eligible, please consider making an appointment at a Versiti donor center or a nearby community blood drive. Your donation helps ensure that patients in our communities receive the critical care they need, no matter what the weather forecast.
- 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. If winter weather prevents your visit, please reschedule as soon as the forecast improves. Your donation will still help hospitals stay prepared for inclement weather.
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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