Blood Donors Needed In Overland Park Area: Red Cross Drives Coming Up Soon

OVERLAND PARK, KS — Blood donations typically wane in the warmer months. The Red Cross and other organizations are working hard to shore up the nation's reserves.

Blood donations are also down in part because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Red Cross blood drives follow coronavirus safety protocols including temperature screening, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff.

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

• 5/6/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Lighton I - Building 7300, 7300 College Boulevard (Overland Park)
• 5/7/2021: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Overland Park Racquet Club, 6800 W 91st St (Overland Park)
• 5/8/2021: 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 12251 Antioch Rd. (Overland Park)
• 5/10/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Olathe Indian Creek Library, 16100 W 135th St (Olathe)
• 5/10/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Johnson County Democrats, 8971 W 75th St. (Overland Park)
• 5/13/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Keller Williams Realty Partners Inc, 6850 College Blvd (Leawood)
• 5/13/2021: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Christ Church Anglican, 5500 W 91st St (Overland Park)
• 5/15/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., New Haven Seventh-day Adventist Church, 8714 Antioch Road (Overland Park)
• 5/19/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., CreativeOne, 11460 Tomahawk Creek Pkwy (Leawood)
• 5/19/2021: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Spring Hill Community Center, 613 S. Race Street (Spring Hill)
• 5/24/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints-, 15915 W 143rd Street (Olathe)
• 5/24/2021: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Menorah Medical Center, 5721 W. 119th Street (Overland Park)
• 5/26/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Museum at Prairiefire, 5801 W 135th St (Overland Park)

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.

People who donate blood, platelets or plasma in May through the Red Cross will be automatically entered for a chance to win a travel trailer camper that sleeps five from Suburban Propane. Anyone who donates through May 15 will receive a $5 Amazon gift card by email courtesy of Suburban Propane.

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.