Columbus Area Red Cross Blood Drives Coming Up Soon

COLUMBUS, OH — 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 Columbus area in the next few weeks. You can search for additional Red Cross blood drives from a wider area here.

• 7/1/2021: 11:45 a.m. - 6:45 p.m., Polaris Blood Donation Center, 1327 Cameron Avenue, Oak Creek Building (Lewis Center)
• 7/1/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., OhioHealth Pickerington Medical Campus, 1010 Refugee Road (Pickerington)
• 7/1/2021: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., Carriage Place Blood Donation Center, 4820 Sawmill Road (Columbus)
• 7/1/2021: 7:15 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Stone Ridge Blood Donation Center, 337 Stoneridge Lane (Gahanna)
• 7/1/2021: 7 a.m. - 1 p.m., ABC6/FOX28 at the Makoy Center, 5462 Center St (Hilliard)
• 7/1/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., ABC6/FOX28 at the Makoy Center, 5462 Center St (Hilliard)
• 7/2/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Old Pier 1 Imports Building, 1320 Polaris Parkway (Columbus)
• 7/2/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Pickerington Church of the Nazarene, 11775 Pickerington Rd. NW (Pickerington)
• 7/2/2021: 7:15 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Carriage Place Blood Donation Center, 4820 Sawmill Road (Columbus)
• 7/2/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., American Red Cross, 995 E. Broad Street (Columbus)
• 7/2/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Discover Christian Church, 2900 Martin Rd (Dublin)
• 7/2/2021: 7:15 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Stone Ridge Blood Donation Center, 337 Stoneridge Lane (Gahanna)
• 7/2/2021: 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Mount Carmel New Albany Surgical Hospital, 7277 Smiths Mill Road (New Albany)
• 7/2/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Westerville Christian Church, 471 E College Avenue (Westerville)
• 7/3/2021: 7:15 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Polaris Blood Donation Center, 1327 Cameron Avenue, Oak Creek Building (Lewis Center)
• 7/3/2021: 7:15 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Carriage Place Blood Donation Center, 4820 Sawmill Road (Columbus)
• 7/3/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Westbelt Blood Donation Center, 4327 Equity Drive (Columbus)
• 7/3/2021: 7:15 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Stone Ridge Blood Donation Center, 337 Stoneridge Lane (Gahanna)
• 7/4/2021: 7:15 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Polaris Blood Donation Center, 1327 Cameron Avenue, Oak Creek Building (Lewis Center)
• 7/4/2021: 7:15 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., Carriage Place Blood Donation Center, 4820 Sawmill Road (Columbus)
• 7/4/2021: 7:15 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Stone Ridge Blood Donation Center, 337 Stoneridge Lane (Gahanna)
• 7/5/2021: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Polaris Blood Donation Center, 1327 Cameron Avenue, Oak Creek Building (Lewis Center)
• 7/5/2021: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Carriage Place Blood Donation Center, 4820 Sawmill Road (Columbus)
• 7/5/2021: 12:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Stone Ridge Blood Donation Center, 337 Stoneridge Lane (Gahanna)
• 7/6/2021: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Polaris Blood Donation Center, 1327 Cameron Avenue, Oak Creek Building (Lewis Center)
• 7/6/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital, 3555 Olentangy River Road, Parking-Green Garage Area (Columbus)
• 7/6/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Courtyard by Marriott - West/Hilliard, 2350 Westbelt Dr (Columbus)
• 7/6/2021: 12:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Carriage Place Blood Donation Center, 4820 Sawmill Road (Columbus)
• 7/6/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital, 3555 Olentangy River Road, Parking-Green Garage Area (Columbus)
• 7/6/2021: 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Atrium II, 5455 Rings Road (Dublin)
• 7/6/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Indian Run United Methodist Church, 6305 Brand Road (Dublin)
• 7/6/2021: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Stone Ridge Blood Donation Center, 337 Stoneridge Lane (Gahanna)
• 7/6/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Westerville Christian Church, 471 E College Avenue (Westerville)
• 7/7/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Old Pier 1 Imports Building, 1320 Polaris Parkway (Columbus)
• 7/7/2021: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Polaris Blood Donation Center, 1327 Cameron Avenue, Oak Creek Building (Lewis Center)

Click here to see more Red Cross blood drives in the Columbus 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.