Blood Donations Needed In Mid Hudson Valley Area: Red Cross Drives Coming Up Soon

MID HUDSON VALLEY, NY — A severe blood shortage has prompted some hospitals to slow the pace of elective surgeries while the Red Cross works overtime to get eligible people to donate.

Donor turnout is typically lower in the summer, but that is especially true this summer as people make plans and travel after a year of limited interactions, according to the Red Cross.

All types of blood donations are needed, but there is an especially high demand for type O donors and those willing to give platelets.

People who donate blood between July 1 and 6 will receive a Red Cross embroidered hat while supplies last. Donors who give between July 7 and 31 will receive a $10 Amazon.com gift card, plus a chance to win free gas for a year.

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

• 7/1/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., JW and Hazel Ruby West Virginia Welcome Center, 55 Hazel Ruby Lane (Mount Hope)
• 7/1/2021: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Greece Blood Donation Center, 2590 W Ridge Rd (Greece)
• 7/1/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Doubletree Hotel, 1111 Jefferson Road (Rochester)
• 7/2/2021: 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Poughkeepsie Galleria, 2001 South Road (Poughkeepsie)
• 7/2/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Grace Bible Church, 158 Myers Corners Road (Wappingers Falls)
• 7/2/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Goshen Christian Reformed Church, 2448 State Route 17A (Goshen)
• 7/2/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Greece Blood Donation Center, 2590 W Ridge Rd (Greece)
• 7/2/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Starbucks, 2861 West Henrietta Road (Rochester)
• 7/2/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Livingston Manor Fire House, 52 Main street (Livingston Manor)
• 7/2/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Ted Stroebel Recreation Center, 10 Jefferson St. (Monticello)
• 7/2/2021: 10 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Intersection Ministries, 945 136th Avenue (Holland)
• 7/3/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Copake Memorial Park Building, Copake Memorial Park, 305 Mountainview Rd (Copake)
• 7/3/2021: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Jefferson Valley Mall, 650 Lee Blvd (Yorktown Heights)
• 7/3/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Greece Blood Donation Center, 2590 W Ridge Rd (Greece)
• 7/4/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Greece Blood Donation Center, 2590 W Ridge Rd (Greece)
• 7/5/2021: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Greece Blood Donation Center, 2590 W Ridge Rd (Greece)
• 7/6/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Poughkeepsie Galleria, 2001 South Road (Poughkeepsie)
• 7/6/2021: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Greece Blood Donation Center, 2590 W Ridge Rd (Greece)
• 7/7/2021: 10:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Dutchess County Fairgrounds, 6636 U.S. 9 (Rhinebeck)
• 7/7/2021: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Greece Blood Donation Center, 2590 W Ridge Rd (Greece)
• 7/7/2021: 11 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., The Mall At Greece Ridge, 271 Greece Ridge Center (Rochester)
• 7/8/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Hudson Elks Lodge No. 787, 201 Harry Howard Ave. (Hudson)
• 7/8/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Veterans Building, 413 Main Street (Beacon)
• 7/8/2021: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Greece Blood Donation Center, 2590 W Ridge Rd (Greece)
• 7/8/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Crosstown Alliance Church, 595 English Road (Rochester)
• 7/8/2021: 12 p.m. - 5:45 p.m., Christ Our Saviour Lutheran Church, 3151 N. 120th Avenue (Holland)
• 7/9/2021: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Newburgh Armory Unity Center, 321 South William Street (Newburgh)
• 7/9/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Greece Blood Donation Center, 2590 W Ridge Rd (Greece)
• 7/9/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Gates Town Hall, 1605 Buffalo Rd. (Rochester)
• 7/10/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Pinnacle, 1508 Route 9W (Marlboro)
• 7/10/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Greece Blood Donation Center, 2590 W Ridge Rd (Greece)
• 7/10/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., St. Lawrence Church, 1000 N. Greece Road (Rochester)
• 7/10/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., City of Rochester Public Market, 280 North Union St (Rochester)
• 7/11/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Greece Blood Donation Center, 2590 W Ridge Rd (Greece)
• 7/12/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Catskill Elks Lodge Hall, 45 North Jefferson Ave (Catskill)

Click here to see more Red Cross blood drives in the Mid Hudson Valley 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.

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.