The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is providing more than US$7 million to support American Red Cross blood collection and disaster response efforts in the United States, along with an additional $850,000 to assist relief efforts following Super Typhoon Sinlaku.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to strengthen the American Red Cross’s ability to care for people facing serious illness and communities recovering from disasters,” said Bishop W. Christopher Waddell, Presiding Bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “As followers of Jesus Christ, we seek to care for our neighbors, lift burdens and bring hope to individuals and families in times of need.”
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The donation includes:
- $2.937 million for blood services medical equipment
- $2 million for the Red Cross Sickle Cell Initiative
- $800,000 for 50 additional Power Red collection machines
- $710,000 for improvements and expansion of the Red Cross blood laboratory in Murray, Utah
- $600,000 for four emergency response vehicles
“This gift will strengthen several parts of the Red Cross mission,” said Heidi Ruster, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross Utah/Nevada Region. “The investment in Murray also strengthens our capacity here in Utah for years to come.”
Church Welfare and Self-Reliance Managing Director Blaine Maxfield said this donation is an investment that strengthens both the American Red Cross and those who rely on its services.
“Working with the American Red Cross, we can help expand access to essential services and support individuals, families and communities as they build greater stability and resilience,” Maxfield said.
The Church’s relationship with the American Red Cross dates back more than a century. In 1996, the Church held its first Red Cross blood drive and has since become the organization’s largest single contributor to blood drives. Church members donate approximately 97,000 units of blood each year through thousands of drives. During the past three decades, more than 1 million units of blood have been collected through over 37,000 Church-hosted blood drives.
The Church of Jesus Christ has provided ongoing support for Red Cross humanitarian efforts. In 2025, the Church donated $5.1 million to bolster blood collection equipment and programs benefiting people with sickle cell disease. In 2024, the Church contributed $7.35 million to support blood donation efforts, disaster response and related humanitarian programs.
“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has led the way in helping the Red Cross deliver our mission,” said American Red Cross CEO Cliff Holtz. “We are deeply grateful for the Church’s unwavering partnership and extraordinary generosity year after year, helping us provide critical disaster relief and lifesaving blood to those in need.”
The additional $850,000 contribution for Super Typhoon Sinlaku will assist Red Cross disaster relief efforts as communities continue to recover from the April 2026 storm.
Support for the American Red Cross is part of the Church’s broader global effort to care for those in need. In 2025, the Church’s commitment to welfare, self-reliance, humanitarian aid, emergency relief, and volunteer service had expenditures totaling $1.58 billion. The Church provided assistance in 196 countries and territories. This included 3,514 humanitarian projects worldwide. Church members volunteered 7.4 million hours of service at Church Welfare and Self-reliance facilities, in service missions, and in community service projects, demonstrating their dedication to caring for God’s children.
