Amarillo Blood Supply Plunges 50%, Emergency O Shipments Ordered

With the new year upon us in Amarillo, it's a chance for everyone to start fresh. We all come up with resolutions to try and stick to (I've already broken mine, sadly), businesses look for a fresh start and new ways to bring in customers, and we look for ways to support those we believe in and be good citizens.

Well, there's always one thing we can do to try and help the community, and right now would be the absolute perfect time to do just that.

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Blood Donations In Dire Need

Throughout 2025, Coffee Memorial Blood Center did some pretty amazing things, and even threw out some incredible giveaways if you went in to donate blood. Keeping the blood supply high is of the utmost importance, and that's why they do it.

As we kick off 2026, Coffee Memorial finds itself in a VERY bad spot when it comes to blood supply and what they have on hand. Last year at this time, they had around 5,200 units on hand. This year? Less than HALF that number is on hand.

Extreme Measures Taken To Keep Supply Up

Things are so bad right now that Coffee Memorial had to have over 400 units of O blood shipped in from the East Coast. It's never a good thing when they have to get it shipped in.

Declining participation in blood donations is the obvious cause of the lower supply. The need for local donors has never been higher, and while all blood types are needed, O blood is the biggest concern.

How To Donate Blood

It's one of the easiest processes out there, and it only takes about an hour to complete. So how can you donate? It's simple. If you're healthy and at least 16 years old, you can give blood. One donation can save up to three lives, so why wouldn't you?

You can make an appointment online by clicking here, or call them at 877-340-8777 to book an appointment. You can also just walk in if you find yourself with a little free time.