# Blood donation drives expand across Latin America > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/blood-donation-campaigns-in-spain-peru-and-argentina > Updated: 2026-08-10T13:56:13.000Z. Sources: 16. Developments: 4. The regional push for blood donation that began in July 2026 has expanded through infrastructure upgrades and localized campaigns across Latin America. On 30 July 2026, the Mexican Red Cross in Tijuana opened a new blood bank, a 128-slice tomograph, and an advanced operating room costing 23 million pesos. The tomograph reduces radiation and speeds scans by approximately 50 percent, while the operating room includes 4K monitors and harmonic scalpels. Officials noted the expansion will not raise patient fees and urged the community to donate altruistically. Concurrently, drives were held in Arica, Chile, involving 54 soldiers from the Chilean Army, and in Salta, Argentina, at the city council. In early August, Argentina intensified its efforts. On 3 August, a collection was held at the Centro Bioquímico Distrito I in La Plata, offering participants the chance to join the National Bone Marrow Donor Registry. In San Juan, the Instituto Provincial de Hemoterapia (IPHEM) issued an appeal following a decline in donations, warning that shortages could jeopardize supplies for oncology, high-risk births, and emergencies. By mid-August, Argentine health authorities continued various initiatives. At the Hospital Centro de Salud, weekly Monday drives persisted despite lower turnout due to cold weather. Additionally, the Institute of Hemotherapy organized a mobile unit drive in Plaza Brandsen, Buenos Aires Province. Representative Micaela Maldonado emphasized that because blood cannot be manufactured, the initiative is vital to maintaining supplies for accidents, surgeries, and transplants. ## Claims - Cruz Roja Tijuana inaugurated a new blood bank, a 128‑slice tomograph and an advanced operating room. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Hospital Regional de Arica held a blood donation drive with 54 army personnel from Regimiento Rancagua. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The investment for the Tijuana facilities was 23 million pesos. (single source) - The new tomograph reduces radiation exposure and speeds studies by about 50 percent. (single source) - The new operating room includes 4K monitors and advanced surgical equipment. (single source) - The upgraded blood bank can store plasma for up to one year. (single source) - Salta City Council organized a voluntary blood collection at the council building to promote regular donation. (single source) - FCAI organized a blood collection together with Hospital Schestakow and the Argentine Red Cross, open to students and community members. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-10: Argentina health authorities conduct blood donation drives Health institutions in Argentina are conducting blood donation drives to maintain stocks for surgeries, transplants, and emergency medical treatments. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/argentina-health-authorities-conduct-blood-donation-drives ### 2026-08-02: Argentina launches blood donation drives in La Plata and San Juan Argentina's La Plata and San Juan launch blood drives to boost supplies, with La Plata's Centro Bioquímico hosting on Aug 3 and San Juan's IPHEM urging donors amid a recent decline. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/argentina-launches-blood-donation-drives-in-la-plata-and-san-juan ### 2026-07-30: Cruz Roja Tijuana expands facilities as blood donation drives surge across Latin America Cruz Roja Tijuana opened a new blood bank, tomograph and operating room with a 23 M‑peso investment, while blood‑donation drives in Arica (Chile), Salta and at an Argentine university bolstered regional blood‑s 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/argentina-promotes-voluntary-blood-donations-in-salta-and-san-rafael ### 2026-07-09: Blood donation drives launched in Spain and Peru Summer blood drives begin in San Fernando, Spain, and a two‑day campaign starts in Piura, Peru, to boost hospital blood supplies. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/blood-donation-drives-launched-in-spain-and-peru --- Cite as: Blood donation drives expand across Latin America. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/blood-donation-campaigns-in-spain-peru-and-argentina