Blood Donors Needed In Newport News Area: Red Cross Drives Coming Up Soon

NEWPORT NEWS, VA — 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 Newport News area in the next few weeks. You can search for additional Red Cross blood drives from a wider area here.

• 5/20/2021: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m., Rock Church, 340 Tabbs Ln (Newport News)
• 5/21/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Indian Motorcycle of Southeastern Virginia, 11704 Jefferson Ave (Newport News)
• 5/25/2021: 12 p.m. - 4 p.m., Tech Center Square, 128 Jefferson Point Lane (Newport News)
• 5/26/2021: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Coastal Virginia Chapter, 1323 W. Pembroke Avenue (Hampton)
• 5/26/2021: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Marketplace at Tech Center, 12080 Jefferson Ave, Suite 940 (Newport News)
• 5/27/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Riverside College of Health Careers, 316 Main Street (Newport News)
• 5/28/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., WAVY TV 10 and Fox 43 Memorial Day Blood Drives-Patrick Henry Mall, 12300 Jefferson Avenue (Newport News)
• 5/29/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., WAVY TV 10 and Fox 43 Memorial Day Blood Drives-Patrick Henry Mall, 12300 Jefferson Avenue (Newport News)
• 5/30/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., WAVY TV 10 and Fox 43 Memorial Day Blood Drives-Patrick Henry Mall, 12300 Jefferson Avenue (Newport News)
• 5/31/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., WAVY TV 10 and Fox 43 Memorial Day Blood Drives-Patrick Henry Mall, 12300 Jefferson Avenue (Newport News)
• 6/4/2021: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Gethsemane Baptist Church, 5405 Roanoke Ave (Newport News)
• 6/6/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Patrick Henry Mall, 12300 Jefferson Avenue (Newport News)
• 6/7/2021: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., American Legion Post 25, 7609 Marshall Avenue (Newport News)
• 6/8/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., United Jewish Community of the Virginia Peninsula, 401 City Center Blvd (Newport News)
• 6/9/2021: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Coastal Virginia Chapter, 1323 W. Pembroke Avenue (Hampton)

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.