Blood Donations Needed In Minneapolis Area: Red Cross Drives Coming Up Soon

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — The Red Cross urges eligible people to donate blood and platelets to address a critical supply shortage.

All types of blood donations are needed, but there is an especially large demand for Type O, which has dipped to as low as a one-day supply for the entire country in recent weeks.

The country’s blood supply has been strained by traumatic injuries and an increase in overdoses. Hospitals also are working through a backlog of elective surgeries, which often require blood products.

People who donate blood from Sept. 13-30 will receive a limited-edition college football T-shirt while supplies last. September's donors will also receive a free haircut coupon from Sport Clips Haircuts.

Here are the Red Cross blood drives coming up in the Minneapolis area in the next few weeks. You can search for additional Red Cross blood drives from a wider area here.

• 9/17/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 7:45 a.m., Minneapolis Blood Donation Center, 1201 W River Pkwy (Minneapolis)
• 9/17/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Veterans Affairs Medical Center, One Veterans Drive (Minneapolis)
• 9/17/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Blaisdell YMCA, 3335 Blaisdell Ave (Minneapolis)
• 9/20/2021: 12 p.m. - 6:45 p.m., Minneapolis Blood Donation Center, 1201 W River Pkwy (Minneapolis)
• 9/21/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Coffman Union Mpls, 300 Washington Av SE (Minneapolis)
• 9/21/2021: 12 p.m. - 6:45 p.m., Minneapolis Blood Donation Center, 1201 W River Pkwy (Minneapolis)
• 9/24/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Minneapolis Blood Donation Center, 1201 W River Pkwy (Minneapolis)
• 9/24/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Veterans Affairs Medical Center, One Veterans Drive (Minneapolis)
• 9/25/2021: 8:15 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Minneapolis Blood Donation Center, 1201 W River Pkwy (Minneapolis)
• 9/25/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, 3355 N 4th St (Minneapolis)
• 9/25/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, 3355 N 4th St (Minneapolis)
• 9/26/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Minneapolis Blood Donation Center, 1201 W River Pkwy (Minneapolis)
• 9/27/2021: 12 p.m. - 6:45 p.m., Minneapolis Blood Donation Center, 1201 W River Pkwy (Minneapolis)
• 9/28/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Lake Calhoun Center, 3033 Excelsior Blvd (Minneapolis)
• 9/28/2021: 12 p.m. - 6:45 p.m., Minneapolis Blood Donation Center, 1201 W River Pkwy (Minneapolis)
• 9/29/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Murzyn Hall, 530 Mill St NE (Columbia Heights)

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.

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.