American Red Cross Offers Free A1C Diabetes Screening for Donors

American Red Cross Offers Free A1C Diabetes Screening for Donors

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The American Red Cross is offering free A1C blood sugar testing to all successful donors throughout November 2026.

Successful blood, platelet, or plasma donations completed between November 1 and November 30 were scheduled to include the screening, which checks average blood glucose levels over the previous three months to screen for prediabetes and diabetes. The service is limited to one result per calendar year per donor, and fasting is not required before the appointment.

Millions of adults across the United States live with undiagnosed prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes. Left unmanaged, these conditions develop silently and can eventually lead to serious medical complications like heart disease and stroke.

Red Cross data shows that 1 in 5 blood donors tested so far have shown elevated A1C levels. Jane Blocher, Executive Director of the Red Cross of Greater Kansas, explained the reasoning behind the initiative.

By helping blood donors learn their A1C level, the Red Cross is providing them another window into their health and empowering them to take a more active role in their well-being.

Since launching the testing initiative in 2025, the organization has provided results for more than 1.3 million blood donors. That screening effort has already resulted in notifications sent to more than a quarter million individuals about elevated A1C levels.

Blocher noted that the program aims to bridge broader community care gaps. Health is not just a personal journey, she stated, calling it part of the organization’s lifesaving mission.

Health officials point out that lifestyle adjustments recommended to prevent Type 2 diabetes often align closely with the habits required for a successful blood donation. Maintaining a healthy weight, eating balanced diets rich in vegetables and lean proteins, drinking plenty of water, exercising regularly, and avoiding tobacco and alcohol all support both personal wellness and donation eligibility.

Donors receive their A1C results within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App or the online donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org. Results are kept private and are not released without written permission unless required by law.

Those who prefer not to have their blood tested for A1C can schedule appointments outside of the November window. Appointments for November can be booked by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, using the mobile application, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

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