We Are Blood is teaming up the Greater Austin YMCA and YMCA of Central Texas to host the fifth annual Winter Blood Drive Challenge.

What's happening

The end-of-year challenge, taking place from Dec. 22 through Dec. 31, aims to combat a decline in blood donations during the holidays due to travel, school and office closures, and weather. Despite a usual drop in donations this time of year, demand throughout the 10-county region served by We Are Blood often increases, according to a news release.

The details

Multiple YMCA locations across the Austin are will participate in the blood drive challenge. The location with the highest number of donations will win the challenge, taking home a trophy and earning bragging rights for a year.
The YMCA location with the highest number of donations at the end of the Winter Blood Drive Challenge will win, taking home a trophy. (Courtesy We Are Blood)
Donors who participate will receive a We Are Blood sweatshirt and do not have to be YMCA members.


The following is the schedule of participating locations:
  • Dec. 22: Hays Communities YMCA, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
  • Dec. 23: Hutto Family YMCA, 8 a.m.-noon; Twin Lakes Family YMCA-Cedar Park, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • Dec. 26: YMCA of Austin-Town Lake, 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
  • Dec. 27: Northwest Family YMCA, 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
  • Dec. 29: Southwest Family YMCA, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; North Austin YMCA, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
  • Dec. 30: Springs Family YMCA, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; East Communities YMCA, 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m.; CHASCO Family YMCA-Round Rock, 9 a.m.-noon


Quote of note

“Central Texans will find community and the opportunity to help local patients at YMCA hosted blood drives this holiday season,” Nick Canedo, vice president of community engagement at We Are Blood, said in a news release. “We are grateful for the partnership and support from Greater Austin YMCA and YMCA of Central Texas during this time of need.”

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, visit www.weareblood.org/blog/ymca-winter-challenge-2025.