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

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — The nation's low blood donation supply continues to pose a challenge during a summer when demand is unusually high.

The Red Cross needs to collect more than 1,000 additional daily blood donations in order to meet hospital demand.

Hospitals are treating a high number of traumatic injuries this summer. There is also high demand for organ transplants and elective surgeries.

People who donate through the end of July will receive a $10 Amazon.com gift card, plus automatically be entered for a chance to win free gas for a year.

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.

• 7/15/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Number 12 Cider, 614 N 5th Street (Minneapolis)
• 7/16/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Minneapolis Blood Donation Center, 1201 W River Pkwy (Minneapolis)
• 7/16/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Veterans Affairs Medical Center, One Veterans Drive (Minneapolis)
• 7/16/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Blaisdell YMCA, 3335 Blaisdell Ave (Minneapolis)
• 7/16/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Aloft Minneapolis, 900 S Washington Ave (Minneapolis)
• 7/17/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Minneapolis Blood Donation Center, 1201 W River Pkwy (Minneapolis)
• 7/18/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Minneapolis Blood Donation Center, 1201 W River Pkwy (Minneapolis)
• 7/19/2021: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., University Lutheran Church of Hope, 601 13th Ave SE (Minneapolis)
• 7/19/2021: 11:45 a.m. - 7:15 p.m., Minneapolis Blood Donation Center, 1201 W River Pkwy (Minneapolis)
• 7/20/2021: 12 p.m. - 6:45 p.m., Minneapolis Blood Donation Center, 1201 W River Pkwy (Minneapolis)
• 7/21/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Peavey Plaza, 1101 Nicollet Mall (Minneapolis)
• 7/22/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., St. Peter's, 5421 France Ave S (Edina)
• 7/22/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Peavey Plaza, 1101 Nicollet Mall (Minneapolis)
• 7/22/2021: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Sociable Cider Werks, 1500 Fillmore St. NE (Minneapolis)
• 7/23/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Minneapolis Blood Donation Center, 1201 W River Pkwy (Minneapolis)
• 7/23/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Veterans Affairs Medical Center, One Veterans Drive (Minneapolis)
• 7/24/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Veterans Affairs Medical Center, One Veterans Drive (Minneapolis)
• 7/24/2021: 8:15 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Minneapolis Blood Donation Center, 1201 W River Pkwy (Minneapolis)
• 7/25/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Minneapolis Blood Donation Center, 1201 W River Pkwy (Minneapolis)
• 7/26/2021: 12 p.m. - 6:45 p.m., Minneapolis Blood Donation Center, 1201 W River Pkwy (Minneapolis)
• 7/27/2021: 11:45 a.m. - 6:45 p.m., Minneapolis Blood Donation Center, 1201 W River Pkwy (Minneapolis)
• 7/28/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Murzyn Hall, 530 Mill St NE (Columbia Heights)
• 7/28/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., St. Richard's Catholic Church, 7540 Penn Ave. South (Richfield)
• 7/30/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Minneapolis Blood Donation Center, 1201 W River Pkwy (Minneapolis)
• 7/30/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Veterans Affairs Medical Center, One Veterans Drive (Minneapolis)
• 7/30/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., St Anthony Community Center, 3301 Silver Lake Rd (St Anthony)
• 7/31/2021: 8:15 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Minneapolis Blood Donation Center, 1201 W River Pkwy (Minneapolis)

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.

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.