Columbia Area Red Cross Blood Drives Coming Up Soon

COLUMBIA, SC — The Red Cross urged people to donate blood as wildfires and record-breaking heat drive donations down. A projected busy hurricane season will likely shrink donations even further.

All types of blood donations are needed, but there is an especially large demand for Type O.

The plea for donations comes at a time when the country is experiencing high demand for blood transfusions. Hospitals are treating a high number of traumatic injuries this summer. Organ transplants and elective surgeries also increased the urgent need for blood products.

People who donate blood during August will receive a free four-month subscription to Apple Music (new subscribers only).

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

• 8/16/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Red Cross Community Drive, 2751 Bull St. (Columbia)
• 8/16/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Central Electric Power Cooperative Inc., 20 Cooperative Way (Columbia)
• 8/16/2021: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 8/17/2021: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 8/18/2021: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 8/19/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., AllSouth FCU - Elmwood, 730 Elmwood Ave (Columbia)
• 8/19/2021: 9:45 a.m. - 5 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 8/20/2021: 6:45 a.m. - 2 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 8/20/2021: 7 a.m. - 3 p.m., Prisma Health Baptist Hospital, 1501 Sumter Street (Columbia)
• 8/20/2021: 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Cecil A. Tillis Center, 1917 Harden Street (Columbia)
• 8/21/2021: 6:45 a.m. - 2 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 8/22/2021: 6:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 8/22/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Shandon United Methodist, 3407 Devine Street (Columbia)
• 8/23/2021: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 8/24/2021: 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Red Cross Community Drive, 2751 Bull Street (Columbia)
• 8/24/2021: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 8/25/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., VA Medical Center, 6439 Garners Ferry Road (Columbia)
• 8/25/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., VA Medical Center, 6439 Garners Ferry Road (Columbia)
• 8/25/2021: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 8/26/2021: 9:45 a.m. - 5 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 8/26/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Midlands Orthopaedics and Neurosurgery, 1910 Blanding Street (Columbia)
• 8/26/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Village at Sandhill, 304 Forum Dr (Columbia)
• 8/27/2021: 6:45 a.m. - 2 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 8/28/2021: 6:45 a.m. - 2 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 8/29/2021: 6:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 8/29/2021: 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Forest Lake Presbyterian Church, 6500 North Trenholm Road (Columbia)
• 8/29/2021: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Radiate Church, 105 Sparkleberry Crossing (Columbia)
• 8/30/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Ft. Jackson Community NCO Club, Fort Jackson N.C O Club, 5700 Lee rd. (Columbia)
• 8/30/2021: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 8/30/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., American Red Cross, 2751 Bull Street (Columbia)
• 8/31/2021: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)

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.