Charleston Area Red Cross Blood Drives Coming Up Soon

CHARLESTON, SC — Blood donations have been plummeting since the beginning of the pandemic, and hospitals are increasingly challenged by trauma emergency visits and drug overdoses. The Red Cross said the need for donations is acute.

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 country in recent weeks.

Hospitals are treating a high number of traumatic injuries this summer. Organ transplants have been on the rise largely due to increased drug overdoses this summer as well. Hospitals are also working through a backlog of elective surgeries that were delayed due to the pandemic.

People who donate blood between Sept. 3 and 7 will receive a 16-ounce Red Cross campfire mug, while supplies last. Donors who give blood in September will also receive a free haircut coupon from Sport Clips Haircuts.

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

• 8/22/2021: 6:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd (Charleston)
• 8/23/2021: 11:45 a.m. - 6:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd (Charleston)
• 8/24/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Borden Dairy, 5001 Lacross Road (Charleston)
• 8/24/2021: 11:45 a.m. - 6:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd (Charleston)
• 8/25/2021: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Kings Cross Church, 2011 Clements Ferry Rd (Charleston)
• 8/25/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., MUSC Horseshoe, 171 Ashley Ave. (Charleston)
• 8/25/2021: 11:45 a.m. - 6:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd (Charleston)
• 8/26/2021: 9:45 a.m. - 4:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd (Charleston)
• 8/27/2021: 6:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd (Charleston)
• 8/27/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Lowcountry Friends & Family Blood Drive, 8085 Rivers Avenue (North Charleston)
• 8/28/2021: 6:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd (Charleston)
• 8/29/2021: 6:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd (Charleston)
• 8/30/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Seacoast - West Ashley, 2049 Savannah Hwy (Charleston)
• 8/30/2021: 11:45 a.m. - 6:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd (Charleston)
• 8/30/2021: 12 p.m. - 4 p.m., Deer Park Baptist Church, 8875 University Blvd (North Charleston)
• 8/31/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., MUSC-SJCH-Cancer and Blood Disorder Unit, 10 McClennan Banks Drive (Charleston)
• 8/31/2021: 11:45 a.m. - 6:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd (Charleston)
• 8/31/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Crews Chevrolet, 8199 Rivers Ave (North Charleston)
• 9/1/2021: 11:45 a.m. - 6:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd (Charleston)
• 9/2/2021: 9:45 a.m. - 4:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd (Charleston)
• 9/3/2021: 6:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd (Charleston)
• 9/3/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Arabian Temple 139 AEAONMS, 4132 Rivers Avenue (North Charleston)
• 9/4/2021: 6:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd (Charleston)
• 9/5/2021: 6:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd (Charleston)
• 9/6/2021: 6:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd (Charleston)
• 9/7/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., West Ashley High School, 4060 W Wildcat Boulevard (Charleston)
• 9/7/2021: 11:45 a.m. - 6:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd (Charleston)
• 9/7/2021: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., WCSC Live 5 News Blood Drive at Citadel Mall, 2070 Sam Rittenburg (Charleston)
• 9/8/2021: 11:45 a.m. - 6:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd (Charleston)
• 9/8/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Trident Technical College, 7000 Rivers Avenue (North Charleston)
• 9/9/2021: 9:45 a.m. - 4:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd (Charleston)
• 9/9/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Charleston Southern University, 9200 University Blvd (Charleston)
• 9/9/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Synter Resource Group, 5935 Rivers Ave, suite 102 (North Charleston)
• 9/10/2021: 6:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd (Charleston)
• 9/11/2021: 6:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd (Charleston)

Click here to see more Red Cross blood drives in the Charleston area, or search for others nearby.

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.