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

MIDTOWN, GA — The American Red Cross is urging people to donate blood soon due to a severe supply shortage.

Hospitals are experiencing a high number of emergency room visits for traumatic injuries. There are also more overdoses, which sometimes require organ transplants. Blood demand climbed 10 percent from 2019 levels at trauma centers, according to the Red Cross.

“When seconds count in emergency trauma situations, it’s the blood already on the shelves that can make the difference in lifesaving care,” said Dr. Baia Lasky, medical director with the Red Cross. “As many people begin to enjoy travel and time with loved ones again this summer, patients are relying on the generosity of donors to help ensure they have access to the treatment they need."

People who make a donation through the end of June will receive a $5 Amazon gift card courtesy of Amazon.

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

• 6/17/2021: 7 a.m. - 12 p.m., Grady Hospital, 80 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive SE (Atlanta)
• 6/17/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., The Historic Academy of Medicine at Georgia Tech, 875 West Peachtree Street, NW (Atlanta)
• 6/17/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Atlanta History Center, 130 West Paces Ferry Road NW (Atlanta)
• 6/17/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Flourish Atlanta, 3143 Maple Drive, NE (Atlanta)
• 6/17/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Glenn UMC Youth Activities Center, 1669 North Decatur Road (Atlanta)
• 6/17/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Grady Hospital, 80 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive SE (Atlanta)
• 7/1/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead, 3300 Peachtree Road NE (Atlanta)
• 7/1/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Little 5 Point Center for Arts and Community, 1083 Austin Ave NE (Atlanta)
• 7/1/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., The Trolley Barn, 963 Edgewood Ave NE (Atlanta)
• 7/6/2021: 7:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Georgia-Pacific LLC, 133 Peachtree Street NE (Atlanta)
• 7/7/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Georgia-Pacific LLC, 133 Peachtree Street NE (Atlanta)
• 7/7/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Cousins at Terminus, 3280 Peachtree Road NE (Atlanta)
• 7/7/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Neighborhood Church, 1561 Mclendon Avenue, NE (Atlanta)
• 7/9/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., First Presbyterian Atlanta, 1328 Peachtree Street, NE (Atlanta)
• 7/13/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Dad's Garage Theatre, 569 Ezzard St SE (Atlanta)
• 7/14/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Intown Lutheran Church, 300 Oakland Ave SE, Suite A (Atlanta)
• 7/16/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Little 5 Point Center for Arts and Community, 1083 Austin Ave NE (Atlanta)
• 6/24/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Atlanta Marriott Suites Midtown, 35 14th Street NE (Atlanta)
• 6/29/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., The Trolley Barn, 963 Edgewood Ave NE (Atlanta)
• 6/30/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Kirkwood United Church of Christ, 100 Rogers St NE (Atlanta)
• 6/30/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Peachtree Road United Methodist Church, 3180 PEACHTREE ROAD, NE (Atlanta)

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.

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.