Richmond Area Red Cross Blood Drives Coming Up Soon

RICHMOND, VA — Blood donations typically wane in the warmer months. The Red Cross and other organizations are working hard to shore up the nation's reserves.

Blood donations are also down in part because of the coronavirus pandemic.

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.

• 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)
• 5/8/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., X-Team Fitness, 2928 W Leigh St (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.

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.