Red Cross Blood Drives Coming Up In Newport News Area

NEWPORT NEWS, VA — The Red Cross urges eligible people to donate blood and platelets to address a critical supply shortage.

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 entire country in recent weeks.

The country’s blood supply has been strained by traumatic injuries and an increase in overdoses. Hospitals also are working through a backlog of elective surgeries, which often require blood products.

People who donate blood from Sept. 13-30 will receive a limited-edition college football T-shirt while supplies last. September's donors will also receive a free haircut coupon from Sport Clips Haircuts.

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.

• 9/16/2021: 1:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., Patrick Henry Mall, 12300 Jefferson Avenue (Newport News)
• 9/17/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Riverside College of Health Careers, 316 Main Street (Newport News)
• 9/17/2021: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Indian Motorcycle of Southeastern Virginia, 11704 Jefferson Ave (Newport News)
• 9/22/2021: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Coastal Virginia Chapter, 1323 W. Pembroke Avenue (Hampton)
• 9/22/2021: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Hampton Roads Academy, 739 Oyster Point Road (Newport News)
• 9/23/2021: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m., St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 372 Hiden Blvd (Newport News)
• 9/29/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., St. Jerome Catholic Church, 116 Denbigh Blvd. (Newport News)
• 9/30/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Temple Baptist, 235 Harpersville Road (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.