Blood Donations Needed During Holiday Season: Upcoming Newport News Drives

NEWPORT NEWS, VA — 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 Newport News area in the next few weeks. You can search for additional Red Cross blood drives from a wider area here.

• 12/8/2021: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Coastal Virginia Chapter, 1323 W. Pembroke Avenue (Hampton)
• 12/8/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Patrick Henry Mall, 12300 Jefferson Avenue (Newport News)
• 12/10/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Orthopaedic & Spine Center, 580 City Center Blvd (Newport News)
• 12/12/2021: 2:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Menchville Baptist Church, 248 Menchville Road (Newport News)
• 12/17/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Riverside Regional Medical Center, 500 J. Clyde Morris Blvd (Newport News)
• 12/17/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., City Life Church, 311 Selden Rd. (Newport News)
• 12/18/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Patrick Henry Mall, 12300 Jefferson Avenue (Newport News)
• 12/20/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., 13NewsNow Jingle Bell - Patrick Henry Mall, 12300 Jefferson Avenue (Newport News)
• 12/21/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., United Jewish Community of the Virginia Peninsula, 401 City Center Blvd (Newport News)
• 12/21/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., 13NewsNow Jingle Bell - Patrick Henry Mall, 12300 Jefferson Avenue (Newport News)
• 12/22/2021: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Coastal Virginia Chapter, 1323 W. Pembroke Avenue (Hampton)
• 12/22/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., 13NewsNow Jingle Bell - Patrick Henry Mall, 12300 Jefferson Avenue (Newport News)
• 12/23/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., 13NewsNow Jingle Bell - Patrick Henry Mall, 12300 Jefferson Avenue (Newport News)
• 12/23/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Riverside Regional Medical Center, 500 J. Clyde Morris Blvd (Newport News)
• 12/26/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Patrick Henry Mall, 12300 Jefferson Avenue (Newport News)
• 12/27/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., WAVY TV 10 Every Drop Counts - Patrick Henry Mall, 12300 Jefferson Avenue (Newport News)
• 12/28/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., WAVY TV 10 Every Drop Counts - Patrick Henry Mall, 12300 Jefferson Avenue (Newport News)
• 12/29/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., WAVY TV 10 Every Drop Counts - Patrick Henry Mall, 12300 Jefferson Avenue (Newport News)
• 12/29/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., First Church Ministries, 410 Flannery O’Conner Street (Newport News)
• 12/30/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., WAVY TV 10 Every Drop Counts - Patrick Henry Mall, 12300 Jefferson Avenue (Newport News)

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.