Richmond Area Red Cross Blood Drives Coming Up Soon

RICHMOND, VA — 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 Richmond area in the next few weeks. You can search for additional Red Cross blood drives from a wider area here.

• 7/15/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Bethlehem Baptist Church, 9600 Midlothian Turnpike (Richmond)
• 7/16/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., VCU Health Main Hospital, 1250 East Marshall St, 2nd Floor, The Meeting Center Conference Room A2-127 & 129 - Above of the hospital cafeteria (Richmond)
• 7/19/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Bon Secours Richmond Health System, 8555 Magellan Parkway, Suite 100 (Richmond)
• 7/21/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Varina Public Library, 1875 New Market Road (Henrico)
• 7/23/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., VCU Health at One Capitol Square, 830 East Main St., 12th Floor- The Madison Conference Room (Richmond)
• 7/27/2021: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Richmond's First Baptist Church, 2709 Monument Avenue (Richmond)
• 7/29/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Afton Chemical Corporation, 330 S 4th Street (Richmond)
• 7/30/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., UNOS, 700 North 4th Street (Richmond)
• 7/31/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1627 Monument Avenue (Richmond)

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.