Boosting community health: Red Cross offers free A1C testing for blood donors in March

Participate in ‘Mission Madness’ online auction to support local programming & services

Submitted by the American Red Cross of Western New York

The American Red Cross of Western New York is helping to bridge access to health care for blood donors by providing free A1C testing, commonly used to screen for diabetes and prediabetes, on all successful blood, platelet and plasma donations in March.

One-third of people lack access to regular primary care in the U.S., where diabetes affects 1 in 10 people – and nearly a quarter of those living with it have been undiagnosed, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The free A1C screening aims to help address this gap by empowering blood donors with valuable information to maintain their health and well-being. This new offering is among the longtime work of the Red Cross to support the health of communities, which also includes disaster relief efforts such as basic disaster health and mental health services among other assistance.

Visit RedCrossBlood.org, use the Red Cross blood donor app, or call 1-800-RED CROSS to book a time to give in March and learn more about your health. Additionally, all who come to give blood, platelets or plasma March 1-31 will receive a $10 Amazon.com gift card by email. See RedCrossBlood.org/March for details on both offers.

You can also participate in this year’s “March Mission Madness” online auction to support American Red Cross services and programming right here in the Western New York region. Items featured in this year’s auction include getaways, sports memorabilia, fine jewelry, recreational activities and much more. All proceeds from the “March Mission Madness” online regional auction support local Red Cross programming and services in the region. Bidding starts Thursday, March 6, and ends Sunday, March 9. Participants can register now at www.redcross.org/WNYAuction to browse items, receive text updates and place bids.

Supporting the health of communities has long been part of the American Red Cross, and traces its roots to the Western New York region and its founder, Clara Barton. A lifelong humanitarian and pioneer in the nursing field, Barton first led the organization to deliver relief and care after disasters more than 140 years ago.

The Red Cross is also helping to support the health of communities by installing free smoke alarms and sharing home fire safety information with families in at-risk communities through its “Sound the Alarm” events. Volunteers are needed for an events taking place in Fredonia on Saturday, April 26, and in the City of Buffalo on Saturday, June 7, in the Western New York chapter. No experience necessary; training will be provided. Register and learn more at https://redcross.org/homefiresafetywny.

Bridging health care access through A1C screening

According to the CDC, some 90% of people living with diabetes in the U.S. have Type 2, a largely preventable and often reversible insulin-resistant condition that can cause dangerously high blood sugar levels. Left untreated, Type 2 diabetes can lead to serious health complications, such as kidney failure, stroke and heart issues.

“Type 2 diabetes develops over years and may not cause obvious symptoms until serious damage has been done,” said Dr. Courtney Lawrence, medical director for the Red Cross. “By understanding our own health, we can create a foundation to help prevent chronic illness, improve the quality of day-to-day living and save lives. Blood donation can now be part of that journey.”

The Red Cross will begin the month-long A1C screening for successful donations starting March 1. Donors can expect to receive the results of their test within one to two weeks through the Red Cross blood donor app or online donor portal, and they are encouraged to consult their health care provider if their A1C level is elevated. A1C is the latest health insight that the Red Cross provides to blood, platelet and plasma donors, who can already access ongoing donation information such as pulse, blood pressure, body temperature and hemoglobin levels.

Delivering care amid intensifying disasters

As part of disaster relief efforts, disaster health and mental health services are as important as ever in the face of intensifying extreme weather across the country. The Red Cross is responding to nearly twice as many major disasters than it did a decade ago across the country – on top of everyday crises like home fires, floods, winter storms and more across the Western New York region. After disasters of all sizes, the Red Cross also provides emergency lodging, food and financial assistance.

Red Cross health and mental health support may include replacing lost prescription medications and medical equipment, helping people in its shelters cope with chronic illnesses aggravated by the disaster, and providing emotional support and referrals to community health and mental health professionals for additional care.

So far this year, the Red Cross has helped people affected by large disasters such as the record-breaking wildfires in California. This came on the heels of 2024 having the second-highest number of billion-dollar disasters in a single year, due to major events like hurricanes, floods and tornadoes, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

More about the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow on social media.