Blood Donations Needed In Phoenix Area: Red Cross Drives Coming Up Soon

PHOENIX, AZ — The Red Cross has an emergency need for eligible blood donors as surgeries and other procedures ramp up as the coronavirus pandemic recedes.

The need is especially great for platelet donations, which are primarily given to cancer patients during treatment. Platelet donations must be transfused within five days and are always in high demand due to their short shelf life.

“Many cancer patients, especially those going through chemotherapy, will have a need for blood products during treatment,” said Dr. Baia Lasky, medical director for the Red Cross, in a statement. “When someone donates blood or platelets, they may not only help prevent life-threatening bleeding that can cause stroke, or relieve some symptoms like shortness of breath and headaches, but also give patients and their families the time and hope they need to fight back.”

Many cancer patients were forced to delay or cancel procedures early in the pandemic to reduce risk of exposure to the coronavirus.

Here are the Red Cross blood drives coming up in the Phoenix area in the next few weeks. You can search for additional Red Cross blood drives from a wider area here.

• 6/2/2021: 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., American Cancer Society, 4747 N 22nd St, Suite 100 (Phoenix)
• 6/2/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Sheraton Phoenix, 2620 W Dunlap Ave (Phoenix)
• 6/3/2021: 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., American Red Cross Greater Phoenix Region, 4747 N. 22nd St. Suite 100 (Phoenix)
• 6/4/2021: 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., American Red Cross Greater Phoenix Region, 4747 N. 22nd St. Suite 100 (Phoenix)
• 6/5/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Aspire Pinnacle Peak Apartment Homes, 24250 N 23rd Ave (Phoenix)
• 6/8/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Sheraton Phoenix, 2620 W Dunlap Ave (Phoenix)
• 6/9/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Sheraton Phoenix, 2620 W Dunlap Ave (Phoenix)
• 6/9/2021: 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel, 100 N. 1st Street (Phoenix)
• 6/10/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., MorningStar, 21432 N 75th Ave (Glendale)
• 6/10/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sheraton Phoenix, 2620 W Dunlap Ave (Phoenix)
• 6/11/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Lincoln Family Downtown Family YMCA, 350 N. 1st Ave (Phoenix)
• 6/11/2021: 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., American Red Cross Greater Phoenix Region, 4747 N. 22nd St. Suite 100 (Phoenix)
• 6/14/2021: 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., American Red Cross Greater Phoenix Region, 4747 N. 22nd St. Suite 100 (Phoenix)
• 6/17/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Frys Food Store, 6321 E. Greenway Rd. (Scottsdale)
• 6/18/2021: 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., American Red Cross Greater Phoenix Region, 4747 N. 22nd St. Suite 100 (Phoenix)
• 6/19/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., EOS Fitness, 3005 N. Dysart Road (Avondale)
• 6/19/2021: 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., American Legion Post 65, 1624 E Broadway (Phoenix)
• 6/20/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., EOS Fitness, 20255 N. 59th Ave (Glendale)
• 6/21/2021: 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Schreiner Sausage, 3601 N. 7th Street (Phoenix)
• 6/21/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., FnB Restaurant, 7125 E 5th Avenue, Suite 31 (Scottsdale)
• 6/22/2021: 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Embassy Suites by Hilton Phoenix Biltmore, 2630 Camelback Rd (Phoenix)
• 6/24/2021: 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Embassy Suites by Hilton Phoenix Biltmore, 2630 Camelback Rd (Phoenix)
• 6/25/2021: 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., American Red Cross Greater Phoenix Region, 4747 N. 22nd St. Suite 100 (Phoenix)
• 6/26/2021: 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Springhill Suites, 1601 W Rio Salado Pkwy (Tempe)
• 6/27/2021: 8:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., CrossWalk Church @ Cesar Chavez High School, 3921 W. Baseline Rd. (Laveen)
• 6/28/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Sheraton Phoenix, 2620 W Dunlap Ave (Phoenix)
• 6/28/2021: 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., AC Hotel Phoenix Biltmore, 2811 E Camelback Rd (Phoenix)
• 6/29/2021: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Devenney Group, 201 W Indian School Rd (Phoenix)
• 6/29/2021: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Spa, 6114 N. Scottsdale Road (Scottsdale)
• 6/30/2021: 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Calvary Healing Center, 720 E. Montebello Ave. (Phoenix)
• 6/30/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., OKLAND CONSTRUCTION, 1700 N. McClintock Dr. (Tempe)
• 7/2/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Homewood Suites by Hilton Phoenix-Biltmore, 2001 East Highland Avenue (Phoenix)
• 7/2/2021: 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., American Red Cross Greater Phoenix Region, 4747 N. 22nd St. Suite 100 (Phoenix)
• 7/3/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Ahwatukee Foothills Family YMCA, 1030 E. Liberty Lane (Phoenix)

Editor's note: This list was automatically generated using data compiled by the American Red Cross. The local blood drives included in the list are limited to those at the time the Red Cross data was pulled. Please visit RedCrossBlood.org for the most current listing of drives. Please report any errors or other feedback to content@patch.com. Know of another blood drive coming up in your area? You can add it to the Patch calendar using this form.

People who have received a coronavirus vaccine can donate blood so long as they are symptom-free, feeling well and can provide the vaccine manufacturer's name, according to the American Red Cross. There is no waiting period after getting a vaccine dose.

All blood types are needed, especially type O, to refuel the country’s blood stockpile for the spring and summer.

In most states, donors need to be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in generally good health; some states allow 16-year-olds to donate with parental consent. Donors 18 years old and younger need to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive. Appointments can be made via the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, online or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS.