Plano Area Red Cross Blood Drives Coming Up Soon

PLANO, TX — Blood donations have been plummeting since the beginning of the pandemic, and hospitals are increasingly challenged by trauma emergency visits and drug overdoses. The Red Cross said the need for donations is acute.

All types of blood donations are needed, but there is an especially large demand for Type O, which has dipped to as low as a one-day supply for the country in recent weeks.

Hospitals are treating a high number of traumatic injuries this summer. Organ transplants have been on the rise largely due to increased drug overdoses this summer as well. Hospitals are also working through a backlog of elective surgeries that were delayed due to the pandemic.

People who donate blood between Sept. 3 and 7 will receive a 16-ounce Red Cross campfire mug, while supplies last. Donors who give blood in September will also receive a free haircut coupon from Sport Clips Haircuts.

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

• 8/22/2021: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Plano Blood Donation Center, 741 North Central Expressway (Plano)
• 8/23/2021: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., Plano Blood Donation Center, 741 North Central Expressway (Plano)
• 8/24/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Lincoln Property Company, 1820 Preston Park Blvd. (Plano)
• 8/24/2021: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., Plano Blood Donation Center, 741 North Central Expressway (Plano)
• 8/27/2021: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Plano Blood Donation Center, 741 North Central Expressway (Plano)
• 8/27/2021: 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Chick-fil-A in Plano, 6408 Plano Pkwy (Plano)
• 8/28/2021: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Plano Blood Donation Center, 741 North Central Expressway (Plano)
• 8/29/2021: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Plano Blood Donation Center, 741 North Central Expressway (Plano)
• 8/30/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Plano Family YMCA, 3300 McDermott Road (Plano)
• 8/30/2021: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., Plano Blood Donation Center, 741 North Central Expressway (Plano)
• 8/31/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Rent-A-Center, 5501 Headquarters (Plano)
• 8/31/2021: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., Plano Blood Donation Center, 741 North Central Expressway (Plano)
• 9/2/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Plano, 4700 Alliance Blvd. (Plano)
• 9/3/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Medical City Plano, 4001 West 15th Street (Plano)
• 9/3/2021: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Plano Blood Donation Center, 741 North Central Expressway (Plano)
• 9/4/2021: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Plano Blood Donation Center, 741 North Central Expressway (Plano)
• 9/5/2021: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Plano Blood Donation Center, 741 North Central Expressway (Plano)
• 9/6/2021: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Plano Blood Donation Center, 741 North Central Expressway (Plano)
• 9/7/2021: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., Plano Blood Donation Center, 741 North Central Expressway (Plano)
• 9/10/2021: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Plano Blood Donation Center, 741 North Central Expressway (Plano)
• 9/11/2021: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Plano Blood Donation Center, 741 North Central Expressway (Plano)
• 9/12/2021: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Plano Blood Donation Center, 741 North Central Expressway (Plano)
• 9/13/2021: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., Plano Blood Donation Center, 741 North Central Expressway (Plano)
• 9/13/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Frisco Family YMCA, 3415 W Main St (Frisco)
• 9/14/2021: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., Plano Blood Donation Center, 741 North Central Expressway (Plano)
• 9/15/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Richardson TX Community, 721 North Central Expressway (Plano)

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.