The American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood donations to prevent another blood shortage as hospitals resume surgical procedures and patient treatments that were temporarily paused earlier this spring in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Healthy individuals who are feeling well are asked to make an appointment to donate in the weeks and months ahead by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

In recent weeks, hospital demand for blood products has grown by 30% after sharply declining in early April amid this rapidly changing and complex public health crisis. At the same time, blood drives continue to be canceled as many businesses and community organizations remain closed. Donors are needed to make and keep scheduled appointments to help meet the current need.

All those who come to give through May 31 will receive a special Red Cross T-shirt by mail, while supplies last. And thanks to Amazon, all those who come to give June 1-30 will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email.*

“Blood donors have played a vital role in the lives of patients who have needed lifesaving transfusions during this pandemic, and patients continue to depend on donors each and every day,” said Paul Sullivan, senior vice president, Red Cross Blood Services. “The Red Cross appreciates the support of those who rolled up a sleeve to give in recent months, but the need doesn’t stop. We need the public’s help to avoid another blood shortage this summer.”

It’s important to remember that red blood cells must be transfused within 42 days of donation and platelets within just five days. So, they must constantly be replenished. There is no known end date in this fight against coronavirus, and the Red Cross urgently needs the help of donors and blood drive hosts to ensure blood products are readily available for patients.

Blood drive safety precautions

Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff – have been implemented to ensure the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.  

Upcoming blood donation opportunities, May 27-June 15:

Litchfield County

New Milford

5/30/2020: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., St John’s Church, 7 Whittlesey Avenue

Torrington

5/28/2020: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 837 Charles St.

6/9/2020: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Torrington Elks, 70 Litchfield Street

Watertown

6/12/2020: 1:45 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., American Legion Hall, 62 Bunker Hill Road

Woodbury

6/13/2020: 7:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m., Woodbury Senior Center, 265 Main Street South

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New Haven County

Branford

6/2/2020: 12:45 p.m. – 6 p.m., ST MARY CHURCH BRANFORD, 731 Main St

Derby

5/29/2020: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Derby Senior Center, 293 Main Street

6/12/2020: 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Derby Senior Center, 293 Main Street

Guilford

6/10/2020: 12:45 p.m. – 6 p.m., EAST CREEK LANDING, 390 South Union Street

Hamden

5/29/2020: 12:15 p.m. – 6 p.m., Whitneyville Cultural Commons, 1253 Whitney Avenue

6/5/2020: 12:15 p.m. – 6 p.m., Whitneyville Cultural Commons, 1253 Whitney Avenue

6/12/2020: 12:15 p.m. – 6 p.m., Whitneyville Cultural Commons, 1253 Whitney Avenue

Madison

6/4/2020: 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 232 Durham Road

6/10/2020: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., VISTA LIFE INNOVATIONS, 107 Bradley Road

Meriden

5/30/2020: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Baitul Aman Mosque, 410 Main Street

Milford

5/27/2020: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Kingdom Life Christian Church, 597 Naugatuck Ave

6/1/2020: 12:45 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Grace Baptist church, 400 Burnt Plains Rd

6/4/2020: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Woodruff Family YMCA, 631 Orange Ave

6/4/2020: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Kingdom Life Christian Church, 597 Naugatuck Ave

6/12/2020: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Milford Senior Center, 9 Jepson Dr

North Haven

6/12/2020: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Best Western North Haven, 201 Washington Avenue

6/3/2020: 8:15 a.m. – 6 p.m., Best Western North Haven, 201 Washington Avenue

Oxford

6/8/2020: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Oxford Senior Center, 10 Old Church Road

Prospect

6/5/2020: 8 a.m. – 7:15 p.m., Linda’s Sleep Shoppe, 105 Waterbury Road #9

Seymour

6/3/2020: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Trinity Episcopal, 91 Church Street

Wallingford

5/28/2020: 12:45 p.m. – 6 p.m., New Life Church, 350 High Hill Rd.

6/5/2020: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Wallingford YMCA, 8 North Turnpike Road

6/9/2020: 12:45 p.m. – 6 p.m., Wallingford Elks Lodge, 148 South Main Street

6/9/2020: 8:15 a.m. – 1:15 p.m., Wallingford Elks Lodge, 148 South Main Street

Waterbury

6/10/2020: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Girls Inc. of Greater Waterbury, 35 Park Place

Wolcott

6/6/2020: 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., St Pius X Church, 525 Woodtick Road

Woodbridge

6/9/2020: 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Woodbridge Ward Church of Jesus Christ LDS, 990 Racebrook Road

6/15/2020: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., New Haven Jewish Community Center, 360 Amity Road

About blood donation

All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

* Restrictions apply. Additional information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.