Salt Lake City Area Red Cross Blood Drives Coming Up Soon

SALT LAKE CITY, UT — The Red Cross has an emergency need for eligible blood donors as surgeries and other procedures ramp up as the coronavirus pandemic recedes.

The need is especially great for platelet donations, which are primarily given to cancer patients during treatment. Platelet donations must be transfused within five days and are always in high demand due to their short shelf life.

“Many cancer patients, especially those going through chemotherapy, will have a need for blood products during treatment,” said Dr. Baia Lasky, medical director for the Red Cross, in a statement. “When someone donates blood or platelets, they may not only help prevent life-threatening bleeding that can cause stroke, or relieve some symptoms like shortness of breath and headaches, but also give patients and their families the time and hope they need to fight back.”

Many cancer patients were forced to delay or cancel procedures early in the pandemic to reduce risk of exposure to the coronavirus.

Here are the Red Cross blood drives coming up in the Salt Lake City area in the next few weeks. You can search for additional Red Cross blood drives from a wider area here.

• 6/2/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Salt Lake City Department of Airports, 3920 W. Terminal Dr (Salt Lake City)
• 6/2/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Salt Lake Emigration Stake, 680 East 2nd Avenue (Salt Lake City)
• 6/7/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Webster Community Center, 8952 West Magna Main Street (Magna)
• 6/8/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Rose Park North Stake, 1155 North 1200 West (Salt Lake City)
• 6/9/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Medical Center, 82 South 1100 East (Salt Lake City)
• 6/9/2021: 12 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., The Zeller, 2255 South 300 East (Salt Lake City)
• 6/10/2021: 3 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Salt Lake Pioneer Stake, 1401 W. 700 S. (Salt Lake City)
• 6/10/2021: 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Lexington Law Firm, 2875 South Decker Lake Drive, Suite 200 (West Valley City)
• 6/15/2021: 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., EnerBank USA, 1245 Brickyard Road (Salt Lake City)
• 6/16/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Morgan Utah West Stake, 2755 W Old Why Rd (Morgan)
• 6/16/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Utah State Capitol, Utah State Capitol Building, State Street (Salt Lake City)
• 6/21/2021: 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Intermountain Healthcare, 36 South State (Salt Lake City)
• 6/22/2021: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Salt Lake International Airport, 3920 W Terminal Drive (Salt Lake City)
• 6/22/2021: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Salt Lake Pioneer YSA Stake, 142 West 200 North (Salt Lake City)
• 6/23/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Salt Lake Jordan Stake-LSL, 3676 W 4700 S. (West Valley City)
• 6/26/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Salt Lake Ensign Stake, 135 A Street (Salt Lake City)
• 6/28/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., University of Utah Intensive Outpatient C, 2830 S. Redwood Road Suite C (West Valley City)

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.

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.