Blood Donors Needed In Upper Dublin Area: Red Cross Drives Coming Up Soon

UPPER DUBLIN, PA — 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 Upper Dublin area in the next few weeks. You can search for additional Red Cross blood drives from a wider area here.

• 5/20/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Jarrettown United Methodist Church, 1460 N. Limekiln Pike (Dresher)
• 5/21/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Upper Dublin Lutheran Church, 411 Susquehanna Road (Ambler)
• 5/21/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., VFW Post 676 North Penn, 2519 Jenkintown Road (Glenside)
• 5/21/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Willow Grove Super Giant Community Center, 315 York Road (Willow Grove)
• 5/24/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Willow Grove Super Giant Community Center, 315 York Road (Willow Grove)
• 5/25/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., VFW Post 676 North Penn, 2519 Jenkintown Road (Glenside)
• 5/25/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Willow Grove Park Mall, 2500 W Moreland Road (Willow Grove)
• 5/25/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Willow Grove Super Giant Community Center, 315 York Road (Willow Grove)
• 5/25/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Springfield Township Community Center, 1200 E Willow Grove Avenue (Wyndmoor)
• 5/26/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Fort Washington Fire Company, 1245 Fort Washington Avenue (Fort Washington)
• 5/26/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., New Life Presbyterian Church, 467 N. Easton Road (Glenside)
• 5/27/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Springfield Township Community Center, 1200 E Willow Grove Avenue (Wyndmoor)
• 5/28/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., New Life Presbyterian Church of Dresher, 2015 S. Limekiln Pike (Dresher)
• 6/1/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church, 259 Forest Avenue (Ambler)
• 6/3/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Borough of Ambler Hall, 131 Rosemary Ave (Ambler)
• 6/3/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Willow Grove Super Giant Community Center, 315 York Road (Willow Grove)
• 6/3/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Springfield Township Community Center, 1200 E Willow Grove Avenue (Wyndmoor)
• 6/4/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Upper Dublin Lutheran Church, 411 Susquehanna Road (Ambler)
• 6/5/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Springfield Township High School, 1801 E. Paper Mill Road (Erdenheim)
• 6/7/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Ambler Church of the Brethren, 351 E. Butler Avenue (Ambler)
• 6/7/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia/Ft. Washington, 530 W. Pennsylvania Avenue (Fort Washington)
• 6/7/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia/Ft. Washington, 530 W. Pennsylvania Avenue (Fort Washington)
• 6/7/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., VFW Post 676 North Penn, 2519 Jenkintown Road (Glenside)
• 6/8/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Springfield Township Community Center, 1200 E Willow Grove Avenue (Wyndmoor)
• 6/9/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Willow Grove Super Giant Community Center, 315 York Road (Willow Grove)

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.