Red Cross Blood Drives Coming Up In Columbia Area

COLUMBIA, SC — The need for local blood donations remains high as the pandemic has challenged the nation’s blood supply.

All blood types are needed, especially type O to refuel the country’s blood stockpile.

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

• 4/9/2021: 6:45 a.m. - 2 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 4/9/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Village at Sandhill, 304 Forum Dr (Columbia)
• 4/10/2021: 6:45 a.m. - 2 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 4/11/2021: 6:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 4/12/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Stoneridge Office Park, 220 Stoneridge Drive (Columbia)
• 4/12/2021: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 4/13/2021: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Downtown Church, 2030 Gregg St (Columbia)
• 4/13/2021: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 4/13/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., GraceLife Church, 501 Clemson Rd (Columbia)
• 4/14/2021: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 4/15/2021: 9:45 a.m. - 5 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 4/15/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Prisma Health Home Care, WACH FOX Building, 1400 Pickens Street (Columbia)
• 4/15/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Boyer Commercial Construction Inc., 2122 S Beltline Blvd (Columbia)
• 4/16/2021: 6:45 a.m. - 2 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 4/16/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Vive Church, 2630 Clemson Road (Columbia)
• 4/17/2021: 6:45 a.m. - 2 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 4/17/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Rehoboth United Methodist Church, 6911 Two Notch Rd (Columbia)
• 4/18/2021: 6:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 4/19/2021: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 4/20/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., VA Medical Center, 6439 Garners Ferry Road (Columbia)
• 4/20/2021: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 4/21/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., VA Medical Center, 6439 Garners Ferry Road (Columbia)
• 4/21/2021: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 4/22/2021: 9:45 a.m. - 5 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 4/22/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Red Cross, 2751 Bull Street (Columbia)
• 4/23/2021: 6:45 a.m. - 2 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)

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.

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.