La Grande Blood Drives Yield 1,241 Units; Baker City Drives Scheduled

La Grande’s community blood collection effort closed 2025 with a final tally of 1,241 units, the Red Cross reported on December 31, 2025. That year-end total reflects local donor commitment amid seasonal fluctuations that commonly strain the blood supply during holidays and winter months.

Seasonal declines in donations can affect trauma care, scheduled surgeries, and treatment for chronic conditions across rural Eastern Oregon. For Baker County residents, local draws help keep regional inventories stable and reduce the need to transport blood from distant centers. Organizers of the La Grande program publicly thanked volunteers and partner organizations for their role in recruiting donors and running drives, noting community partnerships as essential to sustaining collections.

Immediate opportunities to donate are available in Baker City. The Red Cross is holding a blood drive today, January 5, from noon to 6:00 p.m., and tomorrow, January 6, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2625 Hughes Lane. Appointments are recommended and can be made at RedCrossBlood.org. Donors who schedule appointments help drives operate efficiently and allow organizers to smooth supply gaps that occur during winter and holiday periods.

Beyond the Baker City dates, the Red Cross published schedules for 2026 draws in nearby communities to help residents plan month-to-month participation. Regular donation opportunities in rural counties reduce travel barriers for donors and support equitable access to lifesaving supplies across the region. Rural collection sites depend heavily on volunteer labor and partnerships with faith groups, schools, and local businesses to reach targets that larger urban centers often meet more easily.

Public health officials stress that maintaining a stable blood supply is a community effort. For people who can donate, appointments at RedCrossBlood.org and participation at local drives are direct ways to support neighbors who need transfusions for surgery, injury, or long-term conditions. For those facing transportation or scheduling challenges, local organizations and volunteers often provide assistance or alternative options; contacting the Red Cross through the appointment site can clarify available support.

As 2026 schedules roll out, continued participation in local drives will determine how well Baker County and surrounding communities can meet hospital demand without relying on distant reserves. The La Grande total of 1,241 units shows what collective action can achieve, and Baker County’s upcoming drives offer an immediate chance to bolster the winter supply.