Saint Paul Area Red Cross Blood Drives Coming Up Soon

SAINT PAUL, MN — The Red Cross and other blood donation organizations are working to bolster the country's blood supply as the pandemic wanes.

Those who give blood, platelets or plasma through the Red Cross in May will be entered for a chance to win a travel trailer camper that sleeps five from Suburban Propane. The Red Cross will also give donors a T-shirt between May 28 and June 13 while supplies last.

Actor James Van Der Beek and his wife, Kimberly, are urging people to donate blood this summer. Kimberly Van Der Beek needed blood transfusions in the past year after she experienced back-to-back pregnancy losses.

"Donating blood is something that I’ve always done throughout my life,” James Van Der Beek said. “It seemed important. But I never knew how important until the woman I love most was in a situation where that much blood made the difference between life and death. It just brought it home in a very real way.”

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

• 5/20/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., St Paul Blood Donation Center, 176 South Robert Street (Saint Paul)
• 5/20/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Union Depot, 214 4th St E (Saint Paul)
• 5/21/2021: 7 a.m. - 1 p.m., St Paul Blood Donation Center, 176 South Robert Street (Saint Paul)
• 5/21/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., St. Paul Midway YMCA, 1761 University Ave W (Saint Paul)
• 5/22/2021: 7 a.m. - 1 p.m., St Paul Blood Donation Center, 176 South Robert Street (Saint Paul)
• 5/24/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Culver's W St Paul, 125 Marie Ave. (W Saint Paul)
• 5/24/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., St Paul Blood Donation Center, 176 South Robert Street (Saint Paul)
• 5/25/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., St Paul Blood Donation Center, 176 South Robert Street (Saint Paul)
• 5/26/2021: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., United Hospital, 333 N. Smith Ave (Saint Paul)
• 5/26/2021: 7 a.m. - 1 p.m., St Paul Blood Donation Center, 176 South Robert Street (Saint Paul)
• 5/27/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Keg and Case and Clutch Brewing Co, 928 7th Street West (Saint Paul)
• 5/27/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., St Paul Blood Donation Center, 176 South Robert Street (Saint Paul)
• 5/28/2021: 7 a.m. - 1 p.m., St Paul Blood Donation Center, 176 South Robert Street (Saint Paul)
• 5/28/2021: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Eastside YMCA St Paul, 875 Arcade St (Saint Paul)
• 6/1/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Lake Monster Brewing, 550 Vandalia Street, #160 (Saint Paul)
• 6/1/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., St Paul Blood Donation Center, 176 South Robert Street (Saint Paul)
• 6/1/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., St Anthony Park Lutheran Church, 2323 Como Avenue (Saint Paul)
• 6/2/2021: 7 a.m. - 1 p.m., St Paul Blood Donation Center, 176 South Robert Street (Saint Paul)
• 6/3/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., St Paul Blood Donation Center, 176 South Robert Street (Saint Paul)
• 6/4/2021: 7 a.m. - 1 p.m., St Paul Blood Donation Center, 176 South Robert Street (Saint Paul)
• 6/4/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Lions International, 1000 Westgate Drive (Saint Paul)
• 6/7/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., St Paul Blood Donation Center, 176 South Robert Street (Saint Paul)
• 6/8/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Culver's W St Paul, 125 Marie Ave. (W Saint Paul)
• 6/8/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., St Paul Blood Donation Center, 176 South Robert Street (Saint Paul)
• 6/9/2021: 7 a.m. - 1 p.m., St Paul Blood Donation Center, 176 South Robert Street (Saint Paul)
• 6/9/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Mueller Funeral Home - Saint Paul, 835 Johnson PKWY (Saint Paul)

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.