Portland Area Red Cross Blood Drives Coming Up Soon

PORTLAND, ME — 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 Portland area in the next few weeks. You can search for additional Red Cross blood drives from a wider area here.

• 6/2/2021: 12:15 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Portland Blood Donation Center, 524 Forest Avenue (Portland)
• 6/3/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 29 Ocean House Road (Cape Elizabeth)
• 6/3/2021: 12:15 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Portland Blood Donation Center, 524 Forest Avenue (Portland)
• 6/4/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Portland Blood Donation Center, 524 Forest Avenue (Portland)
• 6/5/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Portland Blood Donation Center, 524 Forest Avenue (Portland)
• 6/6/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Portland Blood Donation Center, 524 Forest Avenue (Portland)
• 6/7/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Portland Blood Donation Center, 524 Forest Avenue (Portland)
• 6/8/2021: 12:15 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Portland Blood Donation Center, 524 Forest Avenue (Portland)
• 6/9/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Clarion Hotel, 1230 Congress Street (Portland)
• 6/9/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Portland Elks Lodge, 1945 Congress St. (Portland)
• 6/9/2021: 12:15 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Portland Blood Donation Center, 524 Forest Avenue (Portland)
• 6/10/2021: 12:15 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Portland Blood Donation Center, 524 Forest Avenue (Portland)
• 6/11/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Portland Blood Donation Center, 524 Forest Avenue (Portland)
• 6/12/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Portland Blood Donation Center, 524 Forest Avenue (Portland)
• 6/13/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Portland Blood Donation Center, 524 Forest Avenue (Portland)
• 6/14/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Portland Blood Donation Center, 524 Forest Avenue (Portland)
• 6/15/2021: 12:15 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Portland Blood Donation Center, 524 Forest Avenue (Portland)
• 6/16/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Holiday Inn by the Bay, 88 Spring Street (Portland)
• 6/16/2021: 12:15 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Portland Blood Donation Center, 524 Forest Avenue (Portland)
• 6/17/2021: 12:15 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Portland Blood Donation Center, 524 Forest Avenue (Portland)
• 6/18/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Portland Blood Donation Center, 524 Forest Avenue (Portland)
• 6/18/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., MMC 995 Congress Street, 995 Congress Street (Portland)
• 6/19/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Portland Blood Donation Center, 524 Forest Avenue (Portland)
• 6/20/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Portland Blood Donation Center, 524 Forest Avenue (Portland)
• 6/21/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Portland Blood Donation Center, 524 Forest Avenue (Portland)
• 6/22/2021: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Saint Bartholomew Church, 8 Two Lights (Cape Elizabeth)
• 6/22/2021: 12:15 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Portland Blood Donation Center, 524 Forest Avenue (Portland)
• 6/23/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Portland Elks Lodge, 1945 Congress St. (Portland)
• 6/23/2021: 12:15 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Portland Blood Donation Center, 524 Forest Avenue (Portland)
• 6/24/2021: 12:15 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Portland Blood Donation Center, 524 Forest Avenue (Portland)
• 6/25/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Portland Blood Donation Center, 524 Forest Avenue (Portland)
• 6/25/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Holiday Inn by the Bay, 88 Spring Street (Portland)
• 6/26/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Portland Blood Donation Center, 524 Forest Avenue (Portland)
• 6/27/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Portland Blood Donation Center, 524 Forest Avenue (Portland)
• 6/28/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Portland Blood Donation Center, 524 Forest Avenue (Portland)

Click here to see more Red Cross blood drives in the Portland area, or search for others nearby.

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.