The American Red Cross along with actor James Der Beek and his wife Kimberly, are urging all Americans to schedule an appointment to give blood or platelets.
There are several opportunities to donate blood in Fairfield County (see below).
As the nation transitions to a new, hopeful phase of this devastating pandemic and people begin to return to some of their favorite activities, the Red Cross is concerned about the impact this could have on blood donor turnout and the blood supply this summer. The need for lifesaving blood transfusions never takes a break. It’s critical to have blood ready to go when every second counts.
The Van Der Beek family knows firsthand how important blood donations are in a health crisis. In the past year, Kimberly Van Der Beek experienced back-to-back pregnancy losses. Each time she needed emergency hospital care and blood transfusions to save her life.
“Donating blood is something that I’ve always done throughout my life,” said James Van Der Beek. “It seemed important. But I never knew how important until the woman I love most was in a situation where that much blood made the difference between life and death. It just brought it home in a very real way.”
Hemorrhaging is the leading cause of pregnancy-related complications that can occur anytime during pregnancy. “In instances of severe bleeding, blood transfusions often play a lifesaving role,” said Dr. Ross Herron, divisional chief medical officer for the Red Cross. “For mothers with complicated pregnancies or deliveries, generous donors are the only source of the transfusions they may need to survive.”
“If you’ve never given blood before, allow this to be your formal invitation. Will you please give blood?,” added Kimberly Van Der Beek.
Individuals of all blood types are urged to schedule an appointment now to give blood, and in most cases, those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine can donate. However, knowing the name of the manufacturer of the vaccine they received is important in determining donation eligibility. Appointments can be made by downloading the 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.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities May 16-June 12 in Fairfield County
Bethel
6/11/2021: 1 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., St. Mary's Church, 24 Dodging Town Road
Bridgeport
5/26/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Congregation B'nai Israel, 2710 Park Avenue
5/27/2021: 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Burroughs Community Center, 2470 Fairfield Avenue
6/3/2021: 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Burroughs Community Center, 2470 Fairfield Avenue
6/3/2021: 1 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Burroughs Community Center, 2470 Fairfield Avenue
6/10/2021: 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Burroughs Community Center, 2470 Fairfield Avenue
Brookfield
6/3/2021: 1 p.m. - 6:15 p.m., Raymour & Flanigan - Brookfield, 14 Candlewood Lake Road
Danbury
5/17/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Portuguese Cultural Center, 65 Sand Pit Rd.
5/21/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Portuguese Cultural Center, 65 Sand Pit Rd.
5/27/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Portuguese Cultural Center, 65 Sand Pit Rd.
6/1/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Danbury Fair Mall, 7 Backus Avenue
6/2/2021: 11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Portuguese Cultural Center, 65 Sand Pit Rd.
6/8/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Danbury Fair Mall, 7 Backus Avenue
Darien
6/1/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Darien VFW Post 6933, 205 Noroton Avenue
Fairfield
5/18/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Scandinavian Club, 1351 South Pine Creek Road
5/24/2021: 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Black Rock Church, 3685 Black Rock Turnpike
5/24/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Black Rock Church, 3685 Black Rock Turnpike
5/25/2021: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Trinity Baptist Church, 300 North Benson Road
6/2/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Scandinavian Club, 1351 South Pine Creek Road
New Canaan
5/18/2021: 1 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Saint Mark's Church, 111 Oenoke Ridge Road
New Fairfield
5/27/2021: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., New Fairfield Company A Volunteer Fire Department, 302 Ball Pond Road
Newtown
5/20/2021: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West St.
5/20/2021: 1 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West St.
6/10/2021: 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West St.
6/10/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West St.
6/11/2021: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West St.
Norwalk
5/20/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., St. Philip's Church, 25 France Street
5/20/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., St. Philip's Church, 25 France Street
5/28/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., St. Philip's Church, 25 France Street
6/3/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., St. Philip's Church, 25 France Street
6/3/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., St. Philip's Church, 25 France Street
6/9/2021: 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., St. Philip's Church, 25 France Street
6/9/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., St. Philip's Church, 25 France Street
Old Greenwich
6/7/2021: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Eastern Greenwich Civic Center, 90 Harding Rd
Ridgefield
5/26/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Ridgefield Park & Recreation Center, 195 Danbury Rd.
Riverside
5/26/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 200 Riverside Ave
Shelton
5/21/2021: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Shelton Community Center, 41 Church Street
5/21/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Shelton Community Center, 41 Church Street
6/11/2021: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Shelton Community Center, 41 Church Street
6/11/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Shelton Community Center, 41 Church Street
Stamford
5/17/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., First Presbyterian Church Stamford, 1101 Bedford St
5/19/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Hilton Stamford Hotel & Executive Meeting Center, 1 First Stamford Place
5/22/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m., Union Baptist Church, 805 Newfield Avenue
5/26/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Temple Beth El Stamford, 350 Roxbury Road
5/28/2021: 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Stamford Church of Christ, 1264 High Ridge Road
5/28/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Stamford Church of Christ, 1264 High Ridge Road
6/2/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Stamford Church of Christ, 1264 High Ridge Road
6/5/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Union Baptist Church, 805 Newfield Avenue
6/8/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Temple Beth El Stamford, 350 Roxbury Road
6/12/2021: 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., 800 Long Ridge Road, 800 Long Ridge Road
Trumbull
5/19/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 406 White Plains Road
6/3/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 406 White Plains Road
6/3/2021: 1:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 406 White Plains Road
6/9/2021: 1 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Westfield Trumbull, 5055 Main Street
6/10/2021: 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Trumbull YMCA, 20 Trefoil Drive
Westport
6/11/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Christ and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church of Westport, 75 Church Lane
Appointments can be made by downloading the Red Cross Blood Don