HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood donations as hospitals resume non-urgent and elective procedures, increasing the demand for blood products.
Blood donors are urgently needed to make donation appointments to prevent another shortage like the one that occurred at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March.
While the need for blood continues to increase, blood drives are still being canceled and donations are down.
The Red Cross is offering special "thank you" gifts to donors for the remainder of May and through the month of June.
Through May 31, donors will receive a special Red Cross T-shirt by mail, while supplies last. And thanks to Amazon, donors who give between June 1-30 will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email.*
Red Cross blood drives and Donation Centers are taking extra precautions for donors' and workers' safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to their highest standards of safety and infection control, additional precautions – including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff – have been implemented to ensure the health of all those in attendance.
Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.
About blood donation:
All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities:
AL
Madison
Huntsville
5/27/2020: 10:45 a.m. - 5:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
5/29/2020: 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
5/30/2020: 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
5/31/2020: 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
6/1/2020: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
6/2/2020: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
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Lauderdale
Rogersville
6/3/2020: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Rogersville Fire Department, 36 Wheeler Street
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Madison
Huntsville
6/3/2020: 10:45 a.m. - 5:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
6/5/2020: 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
6/6/2020: 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
6/7/2020: 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
6/8/2020: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
6/9/2020: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
6/10/2020: 10:45 a.m. - 5:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
6/12/2020: 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
6/13/2020: 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
6/14/2020: 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
6/15/2020: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
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Franklin
Russellville
6/16/2020: 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., Russellville High School, 1865 Waterloo Rd.
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Madison
Huntsville
6/16/2020: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
6/17/2020: 10:45 a.m. - 5:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
6/18/2020: 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Carmax, 6364 University Drive
6/19/2020: 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
6/20/2020: 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
Madison
6/20/2020: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., St. John’s Catholic Church, 1055 Hughes Road
Huntsville
6/21/2020: 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
6/22/2020: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
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Morgan
Decatur
6/22/2020: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Bed Bath and Beyond Decatur, Bed, Bath and Beyond, 1801 Beltline Rd, Suite 410
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Madison
Huntsville
6/23/2020: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
6/24/2020: 10:45 a.m. - 5:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
6/26/2020: 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
6/27/2020: 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW