Red Cross Blood Drives Coming Up In Columbus Area

COLUMBUS, OH — Blood donations typically wane in the warmer months. The Red Cross and other organizations are working hard to shore up the nation's reserves.

Blood donations are also down in part because of the coronavirus pandemic.

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

• 5/6/2021: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., Polaris Blood Donation Center, 1327 Cameron Avenue, Oak Creek Building (Lewis Center)
• 5/6/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Ohio Department of Public Safety, 1952 W. Broad Street (Columbus)
• 5/6/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., McConnell Heart Health Center, 3773 Olentangy River Road (Columbus)
• 5/6/2021: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., Carriage Place Blood Donation Center, 4820 Sawmill Road (Columbus)
• 5/6/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., North Broadway United Methodist, 48 E. North Broadway (Columbus)
• 5/6/2021: 7:15 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Stone Ridge Blood Donation Center, 337 Stoneridge Lane (Gahanna)
• 5/6/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Warehouse 839, 3691 Main St (Hilliard)
• 5/6/2021: 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Mount Carmel New Albany Surgical Hospital, 7277 Smiths Mill Road (New Albany)
• 5/6/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Westerville United Church of Christ, 770 County Line Rd. (Westerville)
• 5/7/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., All Shepherds Lutheran Church, 6580 Columbus Pike (Lewis Center)
• 5/7/2021: 7 a.m. - 12 p.m., Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Childrens Drive (Columbus)
• 5/7/2021: 7:15 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Carriage Place Blood Donation Center, 4820 Sawmill Road (Columbus)
• 5/7/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Childrens Drive (Columbus)
• 5/7/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Dublin Community Church, 81 W. Bridge St. (Dublin)
• 5/7/2021: 7:15 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Stone Ridge Blood Donation Center, 337 Stoneridge Lane (Gahanna)
• 5/7/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Drury Inn & Suites Grove City, 4109 Parkway Centre Dr (Grove City)
• 5/7/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Westerville United Church of Christ, 770 County Line Rd. (Westerville)
• 5/8/2021: 7:15 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Polaris Blood Donation Center, 1327 Cameron Avenue, Oak Creek Building (Lewis Center)
• 5/8/2021: 7:15 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Carriage Place Blood Donation Center, 4820 Sawmill Road (Columbus)
• 5/8/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Westbelt Blood Donation Center, 4327 Equity Drive (Columbus)
• 5/8/2021: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Columbus Bilingual Academy - Ohio Latino Committee, 2100 Morse Rd (Columbus)
• 5/8/2021: 7 a.m. - 1 p.m., St Matthew Elementary School, 795 Havens Corners Rd (Gahanna)
• 5/8/2021: 7:15 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Stone Ridge Blood Donation Center, 337 Stoneridge Lane (Gahanna)
• 5/9/2021: 7:15 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Polaris Blood Donation Center, 1327 Cameron Avenue, Oak Creek Building (Lewis Center)
• 5/9/2021: 7:15 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Carriage Place Blood Donation Center, 4820 Sawmill Road (Columbus)
• 5/9/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., American Red Cross, 995 E. Broad Street (Columbus)
• 5/9/2021: 7:15 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Stone Ridge Blood Donation Center, 337 Stoneridge Lane (Gahanna)
• 5/10/2021: 12:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Polaris Blood Donation Center, 1327 Cameron Avenue, Oak Creek Building (Lewis Center)
• 5/10/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, 3924 Home Road (Powell)
• 5/10/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., OhioHealth Grant Medical Center, 303 E Town Street (Columbus)
• 5/10/2021: 12:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Carriage Place Blood Donation Center, 4820 Sawmill Road (Columbus)
• 5/10/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Westbelt Blood Donation Center, 4327 Equity Drive (Columbus)
• 5/10/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Worthington Christian Church, 8145 N. High Street (Columbus)
• 5/10/2021: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., The Barn, 5451 Edwards Farm Rd. (Columbus)
• 5/10/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Dublin Community Church, 81 W. Bridge St. (Dublin)

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.

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.