Blood Donors Needed In Kansas City Area: Red Cross Drives Coming Up Soon

KANSAS CITY, MO — The American Red Cross' blood supply is at historically low levels as the holiday season approaches.

Blood donations typically wane during the holiday season, but the shortage is being compounded by the ongoing challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, according to the Red Cross.

People who give blood or plasma through Dec. 16 will be entered for a chance to win a private screening of "The Matrix Resurrections." The winner and 50 friends will be able to see the movie in a theater, plus the Red Cross will give the winner a $750 gift card for concessions.

Those who donate through Dec. 16 also will receive a $10 Amazon.com gift card.

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

• 12/7/2021: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Platte County Community Center South, 8875 Clark Avenue (Parkville)
• 12/8/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Unity Temple on the Plaza, 707 W 47th st (Kansas City)
• 12/9/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Boilermakers Local 83, 5910 E. 86th St (Kansas City)
• 12/14/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., The Yellow Rock Barn, 8307 Westridge Rd (Kansas City)
• 12/15/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Ruskin Company, 3900 Dr. Greaves Road (Grandview)
• 12/15/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Gail’s Powersports Hog Room, 5900 E. 150 Highway (Grandview)
• 12/16/2021: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Union Hill Apartments, 2976 Gillham Rd (Kansas City)
• 12/16/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., HJ’s Youth and Community Center, 6425 Wornall Rd (Kansas City)
• 12/17/2021: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Kansas City Zoo, 6800 Zoo Drive (Kansas City)
• 12/17/2021: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Swope Parkway Church of Christ, 5620 Swope Parkway (Kansas City)
• 12/17/2021: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Platte County Community Center North, 3101 Running Horse Road (Platte City)
• 12/20/2021: 7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Research Medical Center, 2316 E. Meyer Blvd (Kansas City)
• 12/20/2021: 2:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 12001 Wornall Road (Kansas City)
• 12/21/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Raytown Chapel United Methodist Church, 5413 Blue Ridge Cutoff (Raytown)
• 12/23/2021: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., American Red Cross of Greater Kansas City, 6601 Winchester (Kansas City)
• 12/23/2021: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Red Bridge Shopping Center, 523 E. Red Bridge Road (Kansas City)
• 12/27/2021: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Grandview Community Center, 13500 Byars Road (Grandview)
• 12/30/2021: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., American Red Cross of Greater Kansas City, 6601 Winchester (Kansas City)
• 12/30/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Kansas City Public Library: Waldo Branch, 201 E 75th Street (Kansas City)
• 12/30/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Embassy Suites Kansas City International Airport, 7640 NW Tiffany Springs Parkway (Kansas City)

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.

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.