The American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood donations to prevent another blood shortage as hospitals resume surgical procedures and patient treatments that were temporarily paused earlier this spring in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Healthy individuals who are feeling well are asked to make an appointment to donate in the weeks and months ahead by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.
In recent weeks, hospital demand for blood products has grown by 30% after sharply declining in early April amid this rapidly changing and complex public health crisis. At the same time, blood drives continue to be canceled as many businesses and community organizations remain closed. Donors are needed to make and keep scheduled appointments to help meet the current need.
All those who come to give through May 31 will receive a special Red Cross T-shirt by mail, while supplies last. And thanks to Amazon, all those who come to give June 1-30 will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email.*
It’s important to remember that red blood cells must be transfused within 42 days of donation and platelets within just five days. So, they must constantly be replenished. There is no known end date in this fight against coronavirus, and the Red Cross urgently needs the help of donors and blood drive hosts to ensure blood products are readily available for patients.
Blood drive safety precautions
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and 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.
Bethel
6/12/2020: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Walnut Hill Community Church, 156 Walnut Hill Rd.
Bridgeport
5/30/2020: 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., St. Andrews Church, 435 Anton Street
6/8/2020: 1 p.m. - 6:15 p.m., Burroughs Community Center, 2470 Fairfield Avenue
6/11/2020: 12:15 p.m. - 5:15 p.m., Burroughs Community Center, 2470 Fairfield Avenue
6/11/2020: 7:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m., Burroughs Community Center, 2470 Fairfield Avenue
Danbury
(today) 5/29/2020: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Danbury Fair Mall, 7 Backus Avenue
6/4/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Danbury Fair Mall, 7 Backus Avenue
Fairfield
5/27/2020: 1:30 p.m. - 6:45 p.m., Scandinavian Club, 1351 South Pine Creek Road
6/6/2020: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., St. Pius Parish Center, 834 Brookside Drive
6/9/2020: 12:45 p.m. - 6 p.m., Black Rock Church, 3685 Black Rock Turnpike
6/9/2020: 8 a.m. - 1:15 p.m., Black Rock Church, 3685 Black Rock Turnpike
6/12/2020: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Fairfield YMCA, 841 Old Post Road
Newtown
6/2/2020: 8:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West St.
Ridgefield
6/11/2020: 1:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., Ridgefield Park & Recreation Center, 195 Danbury Rd.
Stamford
6/2/2020: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Bobby Valentine's Sports Academy, 4 Largo Drive S
Trumbull
6/4/2020: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints, 30 Bonnie View Drive
6/5/2020: 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Trumbull YMCA, 20 Trefoil Drive
6/12/2020: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Trumbull YMCA, 20 Trefoil Drive
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.