A potential shortage of donated blood is looming, according to the American Red Cross.

The blood supply is under pressure following a busy holiday season in which severe winter weather and people’s packed schedules made it even tougher to ensure hospitals have the blood products needed for critical care, Red Cross reported.

Donors with types O, A negative and B negative blood are especially needed.

For the seventh year, the American Red Cross and the NFL are partnering in January for National Blood Donor Month to encourage people to kick off 2026 with a blood donation.

Saquon Barkley, a running back for the Philadelphia Eagles, is the spokesman for the partnership.

“It only takes about an hour and once you realize in that short amount of time how much help it can bring — it’s a beautiful thing,” he said in a written statement.

People who donate blood at an American Red Cross donation center through Jan. 25 will be entered to win a trip to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California.

How to give

To give blood in Fort Dodge, go to lifeservebloodcenter.org to schedule an appointment at the center at 118 S. 25th St.

Appointments elsewhere can be made by visiting redcrossblood.org.