Red Cross Blood Drives Coming Up In Newport News Area

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

• 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)
• 6/11/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Patrick Henry Mall, 12300 Jefferson Avenue (Newport News)
• 6/15/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., First Baptist Church of Newport News, 12716 Warwick Boulevard (Newport News)
• 6/16/2021: 7 a.m. - 12 p.m., HRSD-North Shore Operations-G Avenue, 2389 G Avenue (Newport News)
• 6/17/2021: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Nurse Next Door, 12080 Jefferson Ave, Suite 940 (Newport News)
• 6/17/2021: 2:15 p.m. - 6 p.m., Lee Hall Baptist Church, 17531 Warwick Blvd (Newport News)
• 6/18/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Riverside Regional Medical Center, 500 J. Clyde Morris Blvd (Newport News)
• 6/18/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., City Life Church, 311 Selden Rd. (Newport News)
• 6/23/2021: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Coastal Virginia Chapter, 1323 W. Pembroke Avenue (Hampton)
• 6/25/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Orthopaedic & Spine Center, 580 City Center Blvd (Newport News)
• 6/26/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., 13NewsNow Saving Lives Blood Drive-Patrick Henry Mall, 12300 Jefferson Avenue (Newport News)
• 6/27/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., 13NewsNow Saving Lives Blood Drive-Patrick Henry Mall, 12300 Jefferson Avenue (Newport News)
• 6/29/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., City of Newport News Police Department, 9710 Jefferson Avenue (Newport News)
• 7/1/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., 13NewsNow Saving Lives Blood Drive-Patrick Henry Mall, 12300 Jefferson Avenue (Newport News)
• 7/1/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., City of Newport News Public Works/Annex, 511 Oyster Point Road (Newport News)
• 7/2/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., 13NewsNow Saving Lives Blood Drive-Patrick Henry Mall, 12300 Jefferson Avenue (Newport News)

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.