Red Cross Blood Drives Coming Up In Akron Area

AKRON, OH — The coronavirus pandemic has put many things on hold for the past year, but the need for local blood donations hasn’t ebbed.

The pandemic, combined with severe weather in much of the country, has challenged the nation's blood supply. All blood types are needed, especially type O.

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.

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 Akron area in the next couple weeks. You can search for additional Red Cross blood drives from a wider area here.

• 3/24/2021: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Summit Blood Donation Center, 501 W. Market Street (Akron)
• 3/25/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., The East End Office Building, 1200 E. Market St. (Akron)
• 3/25/2021: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Summit Blood Donation Center, 501 W. Market Street (Akron)
• 3/25/2021: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Grace Bible Church, 5781 Manchester Road (Akron)
• 3/26/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Summit Blood Donation Center, 501 W. Market Street (Akron)
• 3/26/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., St Vincent St Mary High School, 15 North Maple Street (Akron)
• 3/27/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Summit Blood Donation Center, 501 W. Market Street (Akron)
• 3/28/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Summit Blood Donation Center, 501 W. Market Street (Akron)
• 3/29/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Summit Blood Donation Center, 501 W. Market Street (Akron)
• 3/30/2021: 11:45 a.m. - 6:45 p.m., Summit Blood Donation Center, 501 W. Market Street (Akron)
• 3/31/2021: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Summit Blood Donation Center, 501 W. Market Street (Akron)
• 4/1/2021: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Summit Blood Donation Center, 501 W. Market Street (Akron)
• 4/2/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Summit Blood Donation Center, 501 W. Market Street (Akron)
• 4/2/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Millheim Baptist Church, 2661 Hayne Rd. (Akron)
• 4/3/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Summit Blood Donation Center, 501 W. Market Street (Akron)
• 4/4/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Summit Blood Donation Center, 501 W. Market Street (Akron)
• 4/5/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Summit Blood Donation Center, 501 W. Market Street (Akron)
• 4/5/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., St Francis de Sales School, 4009 Manchester Rd. (Akron)
• 4/6/2021: 11:45 a.m. - 6:45 p.m., Summit Blood Donation Center, 501 W. Market Street (Akron)
• 4/6/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., St.Matthew Parish, 2580 Berne St (Akron)
• 4/7/2021: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Summit Blood Donation Center, 501 W. Market Street (Akron)

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 in the Red Cross data. 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.

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.

The Red Cross is testing all donations for COVID-19 antibodies. The antibodies may indicate a person's immune system developed antibodies in response to a coronavirus infection or a vaccine. Plasma from whole blood donations that tests positive for high levels of COVID-19 antibodies may be used in convalescent plasma treatments for coronavirus patients.

COVID-19 antibody test results will be available to donors within two weeks in the Red Cross Blood Donor App or donor portal. A positive antibody test result does not confirm infection or immunity, according to the Red Cross.