Crooked River Ranch Fire & Rescue is teaming up with the American Red Cross to host a community blood drive on Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the fire station at 6971 Shad Road in Terrebonne.

The drive is open to all eligible community members in the area. Organizers are encouraging donors to schedule appointments in advance, though walk-ins will be accepted as space allows.

Why Donate Now

Blood supplies nationally and regionally tend to run low during the holiday season, as donor turnout decreases while hospital demand remains steady. The American Red Cross regularly issues calls for blood donors heading into November and December to help build inventory ahead of the stretch.

Blood donated in Central Oregon typically stays in the region, supplying St. Charles Health System facilities and other local hospitals and clinics. Each donation of whole blood can be separated into red cells, platelets, and plasma — potentially helping up to three patients in need.

Who Can Donate

To be eligible to donate whole blood, donors generally must:

  • Be at least 17 years old (16 with parental consent in some states)
  • Weigh at least 110 pounds
  • Be in generally good health on the day of donation

Donors should drink plenty of water and eat a full meal before arriving. The donation process — including check-in, screening, and the donation itself — typically takes about an hour from start to finish. Donors should bring a photo ID or Red Cross donor card.

Those with questions about eligibility — including questions about recent travel, medications, or prior health conditions — can visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS before the event.

Community Service Year-Round

Crooked River Ranch Fire & Rescue serves a large rural community spanning parts of Jefferson and Deschutes counties, providing emergency response to one of the region's most spread-out residential areas. The district has historically been active in community outreach beyond emergency calls — and the Veterans Day timing of this blood drive reflects the community's respect for those who have served.

To schedule an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org and search for the Crooked River Ranch location, or look for the event using sponsor code "CRRanch."