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News Release

Senate And House Square Off Again In Annual Capitol Hill Blood Drive - 02/16/26

Senate and House Square Off Again in Annual Capitol Hill Blood Drive

Following a dead-even finish last year, legislators renew their friendly competition at a time when the national blood supply is dangerously low.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

(PORTLAND, OR) February 16, 2026 

It’s back! The annual Oregon State Capitol Hill Blood Drive in Salem—a friendly competition between the Oregon Senate and House. Which side will break the tie from last year, when both chambers donated 18 units of blood? We’ll find out.

 

This year’s competition is more important than ever since the nation is still in a severe blood shortage. Extreme winter weather in the east has cancelled more than 500 blood drives, leaving 20,000 units of blood uncollected adding to our shortage. 

 

“This event is a great way to help end the shortage and assure that blood will be on the shelves when hospitals need it,” says Red Cross CEO Priscilla Fuentes, “plus, it’s a lot of fun.”

 

“I challenge my colleagues to come join us and donate blood. It takes less than an hour, and you can leave knowing you saved somebody’s life,” says Secretary of State Tobias Read. 

 

Join us for this great blood drive on Tuesday, February 17.

Media availability at 9:30am.

  • Senate President Pro Tempore James I. Manning, Jr. (blood drive host)
  • Secretary of State Tobias Read
  • Senate Republican Leader Bruce Starr
  • House Republican Leader Lucetta Elmer
  • Representative Travis Nelson 
  • Red Cross CEO Priscilla Fuentes

Blood donations will be accepted between 10am and 3pm.

  • Secretary Read 10am
  • Senator Starr 12:45pm
  • Representative Elmer 12:45pm
  • Senator Manning 1pm
  • Representative Nelson 2:15pm

Location:

Capitol Building, 900 Court Street NE, Rm 357

Donors can sign up to donate by using the Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). All who come to give Jan. 26-Feb. 28, 2026, will receive a $20 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. See RedCrossBlood.org/Heart for details.

 

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, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on social media at @RedCrossCascades.

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Senate And House Square Off Again In Annual Capitol Hill Blood Drive - 02/16/26

Senate and House Square Off Again in Annual Capitol Hill Blood Drive

Following a dead-even finish last year, legislators renew their friendly competition at a time when the national blood supply is dangerously low.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

(PORTLAND, OR) February 16, 2026 

It’s back! The annual Oregon State Capitol Hill Blood Drive in Salem—a friendly competition between the Oregon Senate and House. Which side will break the tie from last year, when both chambers donated 18 units of blood? We’ll find out.

 

This year’s competition is more important than ever since the nation is still in a severe blood shortage. Extreme winter weather in the east has cancelled more than 500 blood drives, leaving 20,000 units of blood uncollected adding to our shortage. 

 

“This event is a great way to help end the shortage and assure that blood will be on the shelves when hospitals need it,” says Red Cross CEO Priscilla Fuentes, “plus, it’s a lot of fun.”

 

“I challenge my colleagues to come join us and donate blood. It takes less than an hour, and you can leave knowing you saved somebody’s life,” says Secretary of State Tobias Read. 

 

Join us for this great blood drive on Tuesday, February 17.

Media availability at 9:30am.

  • Senate President Pro Tempore James I. Manning, Jr. (blood drive host)
  • Secretary of State Tobias Read
  • Senate Republican Leader Bruce Starr
  • House Republican Leader Lucetta Elmer
  • Representative Travis Nelson 
  • Red Cross CEO Priscilla Fuentes

Blood donations will be accepted between 10am and 3pm.

  • Secretary Read 10am
  • Senator Starr 12:45pm
  • Representative Elmer 12:45pm
  • Senator Manning 1pm
  • Representative Nelson 2:15pm

Location:

Capitol Building, 900 Court Street NE, Rm 357

Donors can sign up to donate by using the Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). All who come to give Jan. 26-Feb. 28, 2026, will receive a $20 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. See RedCrossBlood.org/Heart for details.

 

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, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on social media at @RedCrossCascades.

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