• Donation to support blood collection equipment and sickle cell treatment

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is donating US$5.1 million to the American Red Cross to support critical efforts, including blood donation programs (which are receiving equipment for new donor centers) and programs supporting sickle cell disease treatment.

“Through our collaboration, we are increasing blood donations, advancing sickle cell disease treatment and strengthening our ability to bless millions of lives,” said Blaine Maxfield, managing director of Welfare and Self-Reliance Services. “By uniting our efforts, we extend the Savior’s love to those in need.”

This year’s donation provides additional blood collection equipment and supports sickle-cell-treatment-related donor recruitment. The blood collection equipment includes platelet collection devices and red blood cell collection machines. The donation will also help increase the number of compatible units of blood that are available for patients with sickle cell disease.

“The Church’s donation will support Red Cross efforts and initiatives in Utah and across the country,” said Heidi Ruster, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross Utah/Nevada Region. “But this collaboration goes far beyond funding. It’s a testament to our shared dedication to serving and supporting those in need.”

In addition to monetary donations, since 2017, the Church of Jesus Christ has provided in-kind donations, such as disaster relief kits, held thousands of blood drives and mobilized thousands of volunteers.

A Century-Long Collaboration

The Church of Jesus Christ and the American Red Cross have shared a connection since the late 1800s. American Red Cross founder Clara Barton and Emmeline B. Wells of the Relief Society began corresponding about humanitarian aid during the Spanish-American War. The Church hosted its first blood drive in 1996 and is the largest single contributor to American Red Cross blood drives. Annually, Latter-day Saints donate approximately 97,000 units of blood during thousands of drives. In the past three decades, the American Red Cross has collected more than 1 million units through some 37,000 drives hosted by the Church.

These contributions align with the Church’s global philanthropic efforts, which exceeded $1.45 billion last year, to help those in need.