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

RICHMOND, VA — The need for local blood donations remains high as coronavirus vaccines become more available and people begin to resume more of their normal activities.

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 between May 1 and 15 will receive a $5 Amazon gift card by email courtesy of Suburban Propane.

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

• 4/23/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 2900 Hanes Ave. (Richmond)
• 4/24/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 2900 Hanes Ave. (Richmond)
• 4/26/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, 2001 Maywill St. #202 (Richmond)
• 4/26/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., VCU Health Main Hospital, 1250 East Marshall St, 2nd Floor, The Meeting Center Conference Room A2-127 & 129 - Above of the hospital cafeteria (Richmond)
• 4/27/2021: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., UNOS, 700 North 4th Street (Richmond)
• 4/29/2021: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Varina Public Library, 1875 New Market Road (Henrico)
• 4/29/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Northside Family YMCA, 4207 Old Brook Rd (Richmond)
• 5/3/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Hilton - Richmond Downtown, 501 E. Broad Street (Richmond)
• 5/6/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Fairfield Area Library, 1401 N Laburnum Ave (Richmond)
• 5/7/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Chesterfield Towne Center, 11500 Midlothian Turnpike, Space beside Francesca's and H&M (Richmond)
• 5/7/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., VCU Health Main Hospital, 1250 East Marshall St, 2nd Floor, The Meeting Center Conference Room A2-127 & 129 - Above of the hospital cafeteria (Richmond)
• 5/10/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Fortis College, 2000 Westmoreland Street, STE A (Richmond)
• 5/11/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Downtown YMCA of Greater Richmond, 2 W. Franklin St. (Richmond)
• 5/12/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., U-TURN Sports Performance Academy, 2101 Maywill Street (Richmond)
• 5/13/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Richmond Raceway, 600 E. Laburnum Ave (Richmond)
• 5/14/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Bon Secours Richmond Health System, 8555 Magellan Parkway, Suite 100 (Richmond)
• 5/14/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Weinstein JCC, 5403 Monument Avenue (Richmond)
• 5/14/2021: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., CJW Medical Center - Chippenham Campus, 7101 Jahnke Road, Kraus Auditorium - Second Floor (Richmond)
• 5/17/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Varina Public Library, 1875 New Market Road (Henrico)
• 5/18/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Maymont, 2201 Shields Lake Dr (Richmond)
• 5/19/2021: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Hardywood Park Craft Brewery - Richmond, 2410 Ownby Ln (Richmond)
• 5/20/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Bethlehem Baptist Church, 9600 Midlothian Turnpike (Richmond)
• 5/20/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Antioch Baptist Church, 1384 New Market Rd. (Henrico)
• 5/21/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., VCU Health at One Capitol Square, 830 East Main St., 12th Floor- The Madison Conference Room (Richmond)

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.