Help During Coronavirus: Where To Give Blood In Montgomery County

ROCKVILLE, MD — Giving blood is one way people can help out during the coronavirus pandemic. Since it's considered an essential service, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan is encouraging healthy residents to visit their local blood drive and donate what they can.

Blood donations help provide transfusions for surgeries, victims of car crashes, cancer patients, and other emergency situations.

The American Red Cross says tens of thousands of blood drives have been canceled since the outbreak started, resulting in fewer blood donations.

"As the coronavirus pandemic has grown here in the U.S., we have seen blood drive cancellations grow at an alarming rate," the Red Cross said in a statement.

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People can schedule appointments online or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

"If you don't see available appointments near you in the near future, please search 7-10 days out," the Red Cross wrote on its website. "The need for blood is constant — patients need your help."

Here are some blood drives in Montgomery County with appointments available as of publication:

Rockville Blood Donation Center

• Location: 11820 Parklawn Drive, Suite 510, Rockville
• Time: Saturday, May 2; 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Rockville Blood Donation Center

• Location: 11820 Parklawn Drive, Suite 510, Rockville
• Time: Sunday, May 3; 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Rockville Blood Donation Center

• Location: 11820 Parklawn Drive, Suite 510, Rockville
• Time: Tuesday, May 5; 12:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center

• Location: 9751 Washingtonian Blvd., Gaithersburg
• Time: Thursday, May 7; 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Rockville Blood Donation Center

• Location: 11820 Parklawn Drive, Suite 510, Rockville
• Time: Thursday, May 7; 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Rockville Blood Donation Center

• Location: 11820 Parklawn Drive, Suite 510, Rockville
• Time: Monday, May 11; 12:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Montgomery County Fairgrounds

• Location: 16 Chestnut St., Gaithersburg
• Time: Monday, May 18; 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Montgomery Chapter House

• Location: 2020 East West Highway, Silver Spring
• Time: Thursday, May 21; 1:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Click here for more blood drive locations and times.

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