The American Red Cross Northern California Coastal Region is partnering with the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Delta Dental of California and affiliates (Delta Dental), and VSP Vision to host a nationwide virtual blood drive, “Donate for Hope,” to help counteract a growing deficit in blood collections. Running through April 30, the drive is open to eligible donors wherever the Red Cross collects blood in the U.S.
Since the beginning of 2025, more than 28,000 blood and platelet donations have gone uncollected due to severe winter weather and wildfires – a number already surpassing the total amount of uncollected donations due to weather last winter. On average, someone in the U.S. needs blood every two seconds, with one unit of blood capable of saving multiple lives.
“The severe winter weather across the country and the wildfires that devastated Southern California have made it difficult and, in many cases, impossible for us to collect blood in impacted areas,” said Justin Mueller, regional donor services executive for the American Red Cross. “That’s why it’s so important for people to schedule their donation appointments, and why partner support is key. Having Delta Dental and VSP Vision come together to support a drive like “Donate for Hope” is instrumental for not only getting out the message for people to donate, but for making it easy. Their continued support makes our mission of saving lives possible.”
A virtual blood drive enables eligible donors to schedule their appointment online from a selection of events in their area via a drive URL. Donors can select the date, time and location that is most convenient for them anywhere the Red Cross collects blood in the U.S. The virtual option allows companies with a nationwide or multi-state footprint, like Delta Dental and VSP Vision, to encourage their employees and stakeholders to take part wherever they are located. The Red Cross ensures that blood donations are safely transported to where they’re needed most, usually fulfilling local needs in the area where the donation was collected. Donors can download the free Red Cross blood app to track their donation’s journey from collection and processing to distribution.
Delta Dental and VSP Vision have each donated $20,000 toward Red Cross Blood Services this year, supporting vital components such as blood collection equipment, trained staff, and fleet vehicles. Both organizations are longtime corporate partners of the Red Cross, with Delta Dental serving as a $500,000 Annual Disaster Giving Partner (ADGP) since 2018. The company provided dental kits and powered $66,525 in donations to the Red Cross following the 2025 Southern California wildfires.
A Red Cross partner since 1999, VSP Vision is also an ADGP through partnerships to deliver free vision care for people affected by disaster and Corporate & Employee Giving that’s raised nearly $20,000 toward Red Cross wildfire disaster relief this year. The “Donate for Hope” drive represents both partners’ ongoing commitment to giving back to their communities, especially those devastated by the wildfires.
To learn more about the “Donate for Hope” drive and make an appointment, visit rcblood.org/438e41Q. For more information about donor eligibility and blood donation, visit redcrossblood.org.
