The American Red Cross is offering free A1C testing to all donors throughout Diabetes Awareness Month this November so they can help save lives and know more about their own health.

Successful blood, platelet or plasma donations during November 2026 will get free A1C testing (one result per calendar year). No fasting needed. The A1C test is a simple blood test commonly used to screen for prediabetes and diabetes. It measures average blood sugar level over the past three months.

“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,” said Jane Blocher, Executive Director of the Red Cross of Greater Kansas.

Early awareness creates an opportunity to act. Millions of U.S. adults are living with undiagnosed prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes, which are often preventable and reversible. These conditions often develop silently, though if untreated, they can lead to serious health complications, such as stroke and heart disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, making healthy lifestyle changes can cut the risk of Type 2 diabetes in half.

Many of the tips that health care providers recommend to help prevent prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes are also important for ensuring a successful blood donation. These include consuming a well-balanced diet with lean, iron-rich proteins and vegetables; drinking plenty of water; avoiding alcohol and tobacco products; participating in regular physical activity; and maintaining a healthy weight.

Red Cross data shows that 1 in 5 blood donors tested have elevated A1C levels — a sign that prediabetes and diabetes are prevalent among adults in generally good health.

The findings are based on free A1C testing offered by the Red Cross, which to date has provided results for more than 1.3 million blood donors since we began testing in 2025. The Red Cross has notified more than a quarter million donors about having elevated A1C levels.

“Health is not just a personal journey — it’s part of our lifesaving mission. The Red Cross is bridging care gaps like undiagnosed diabetes and hypertension through blood donation,” said Blocher.

As the nation’s largest blood supplier, the Red Cross is in a unique position to help the millions of individuals who roll up a sleeve each year. Through the Red Cross Blood Donor App and online donor portal, donors can track their health insights taken during each donation and share them with their health care provider. Empowering donors with this information is a powerful step toward preventive care, community health equity and lifesaving intervention.

Visit RedCrossBlood.org, use the Red Cross Blood Donor App or call 1-800-RED CROSS to schedule your blood donation appointment in November and learn more about your health.