Humboldt Sponsors schedules annual blood drive Feb. 4 to bolster supply

Humboldt Sponsors announced its seventh annual blood drive will be held Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Northern California Community Blood Bank, 2524 Harrison Avenue in Eureka. Organizers are encouraging local residents to schedule appointments or walk in, and noted donations made during the week of Feb. 2–6 will be credited to the Humboldt Sponsors drive.

The annual drive is timed to shore up the regional blood supply that local hospitals and clinics rely on for surgeries, trauma care and routine transfusions. By crediting donations made across the week, organizers aim to capture contributions from busy donors who may prefer nearby bloodmobile events in smaller communities.

In addition to the Eureka collection site, the press release listed a series of bloodmobile stops around the region, including Fieldbrook, Crescent City, Arcata, Fortuna, McKinleyville and Korbel. Those stops are intended to make donation more accessible for residents outside Humboldt’s urban core and to reduce travel barriers for rural donors.

The release also summarized donor eligibility requirements and preparation tips. Donors should bring a photo ID and expect standard age and weight rules to apply. People with recent tattoos should wait until they meet the deferral window before giving. Donors are advised to eat protein and hydrate before arriving to help ensure a successful donation.

From a public health perspective, community drives like this address a persistent, systemwide need. Rural and remote areas often face greater logistical challenges in maintaining stable blood inventories, and outreach that brings collection sites into smaller towns can help mitigate disparities in access. The campaign’s approach of crediting a full week of donations acknowledges that Humboldt County residents may prefer different locations and times to fit work, family and transportation needs.

Health policy discussions in California have been moving toward expanding equity in donation access and eliminating unnecessary barriers. Local drives remain a frontline strategy while broader policy shifts unfold at state and national levels.

Humboldt residents interested in giving can schedule an appointment or simply walk in during the Feb. 2–6 window to have their donation credited to the Humboldt Sponsors drive. Bringing photo ID, meeting basic age and weight requirements, avoiding recent tattoos, and eating and hydrating beforehand can improve the donor experience and help maintain the supply that local health systems depend on.