The American Red Cross needs help rebuilding the blood supply
Feb 16, 2026, 10:37 AM CST
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The American Red Cross urges you to take action now to help rebuild the blood supply during an ongoing blood shortage. Donors of all blood types are asked to make a blood or platelet donation appointment as soon as possible. Over 500 blood drives have been canceled since the beginning of the year, causing more than 20,000 blood and platelet donations to go uncollected. Patient care is at risk. Three area blood drives will be held this week.
Two blood drives will be held Tuesday (Feb. 17). The first will be from 12:30 to 5:30 at the Lone Rock Community Building. The second will be held from 12:30 to 5:30 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Mauston.
A blood drive will be held Friday (Feb. 20) from 11:00 to 5:00 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Baraboo.
Book an appointment to give blood or platelets now by using the Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Adam Hess has been involved in radio broadcasting since 1990, with many of those years spent on the air at WRCO FM in Richland Center. Currently, Adam hosts the Weekend Wake-up and Prime Mover Saturdays on WRCO FM, jumps in and helps out with news duties, handles Social Media duties for WRCO and WRCE, and is the Director of Technology at a Southwest Wisconsin School District. Reach him at adam.hess@civicmedia.us.
Jo Ann Krulatz is Senior Radio Journalist and News Director at WRCO and WRCE in Richland Center. Email her at joann.krulatz@civicmedia.us.
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