The American Red Cross is urging healthy donors of all blood types to band together to give blood and help ensure a stable blood supply for patients this holiday season.
The traditional slump in blood donations between Thanksgiving and New Year’s comes as the blood supply already faces challenges created by the coronavirus pandemic. Required medical treatments and emergencies don’t pause for the holidays or a widespread coronavirus outbreak.
Make your appointment to give blood, platelets or plasma with the Red Cross 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.
In thanks for making time to donate around Thanksgiving, those who come to give blood Nov. 25-28 will receive an exclusive Red Cross long-sleeved T-shirt, courtesy of Suburban Propane, while supplies last
Important COVID-19 information for donors
The Red Cross is testing blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies. The test may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to this coronavirus, regardless of whether an individual developed COVID-19 symptoms. Red Cross antibody tests will be helpful to identify individuals who have COVID-19 antibodies and may now help current coronavirus patients in need of convalescent plasma transfusions. Convalescent plasma is a type of blood donation collected from COVID-19 survivors that have antibodies that may help patients who are actively fighting the virus.
COVID-19 antibody test results will be available within one to two weeks in the Red Cross Blood Donor App or donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org. A positive antibody test result does not confirm infection or immunity. The Red Cross is not testing donors to diagnose illness, referred to as a diagnostic test. To protect the health and safety of Red Cross staff and donors, it is important that individuals who do not feel well or believe they may be ill with COVID-19 postpone donation.
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Nov. 16-30:
Blue Earth
Mankato
11/16/2020: 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Christ the King Lutheran Church Mankato, 222 Pfau St.
11/23/2020: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Blue Earth County Library, 100 E. Main St.
11/27/2020: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 1123 Marsh St.
Mapleton
11/19/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Teresa’s Catholic Church, 102 Central Ave. N.
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Brown
New Ulm
11/20/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Redeemer Lutheran Church, 700 S. Broadway
Sleepy Eye
11/17/2020: 8 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Sleepy Eye High School, 400 4th Ave. SW
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Carver
Chaska
11/18/2020: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Two Twelve Medical Center, 111 Hundertmark Road
Hamburg
11/23/2020: 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Emanuel Lutheran School, 18175 County Road 50
Waconia
11/17/2020: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Academy Travel, 235 Highway 5 W.
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Faribault
Blue Earth
11/18/2020: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 235 E. 7th St.
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Fillmore
Chatfield
11/20/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., United Methodist Church, 124 Winona E. St.
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Freeborn
Albert Lea
11/20/2020: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., United Methodist Church, 702 Highway 69 S.
11/25/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., North Bridge Mall, 2510 Bridge Ave.
Geneva
11/30/2020: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Geneva Community Center, 314 1st Ave SE
Hollandale
11/16/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Hollandale Christian Reform Church, 102 Amsterdam Ave. E.
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Goodhue
Kenyon
11/30/2020: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., St. Michaels Catholic Church, 108 Bullis St.
Red Wing
11/23/2020: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., YMCA, 434 Main St.
Welch
11/24/2020: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Vasa Lutheran Church, 15235 Norelius Road
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Le Sueur
Le Sueur
11/27/2020: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Le Sueur Community Center, 821 E. Ferry St.
LeCenter
11/16/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., American Legion Le Center, 97 S. Park Ave.
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Martin
Granada
11/17/2020: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Granada Huntley East Chain School, 300 Reynolds
Truman
11/23/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Community Center, 313 N. 1st Ave. W.
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Mower
Austin
11/23/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Austin Eagles Lookout Arie 703, 107 11st NE
Grand Meadow
11/19/2020: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Emergency Service Building, 210 2nd St. SE
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Nicollet
Lafayette
11/23/2020: 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Church of St. Gregory the Great, 440 6th St.
North Mankato
11/24/2020: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., South Central College, 1920 Lee Blvd.
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Rice
Faribault
11/23/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Fourth Avenue United Methodist, 219 4th Ave. NW
11/30/2020: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Church of St. Patrick Shieldsville, 7525 Dodd Road
Lonsdale
11/25/2020: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., American Legion Lonsdale, 115 Second Ave. NW
Northfield
11/24/2020: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Community Resource Bank, 1605 Heritage Drive
11/27/2020: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., VFW Post 4393, 516 Division St. S.
11/28/2020: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church Northfield, 803 Winona St.
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Scott
Belle Plaine
11/21/2020: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Belle Plaine Fire Department, 700 Main St. E.
New Prague
11/18/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., New Prague Fire Department, 505 5th Ave. NW
Savage
11/20/2020: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., McColl pond Environmental Learning Center, 13550 Dakota Ave.
Shakopee
11/19/2020: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Shakopee Community Center, 1255 Fuller St.
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Sibley
Arlington
11/30/2020: 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Community Center, 204 Shamrock Drive
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Steele
Blooming Prairie
11/30/2020: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Blooming Prairie Serviceman’s Club, Blooming Prairie High School
Medford
11/27/2020: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Medford Outlet Center, 6750 W. Frontage Road
Owatonna
11/20/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Associated Church, 800 Havana Road
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Wabasha
Lake City
11/25/2020: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., St. Mary’s of the Lake, 419 W. Lyon Ave.
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Waseca
Janesville
11/19/2020: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 412 N. Main St.
Waseca
11/30/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., American Legion Waseca, 700 S. State St.
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Watonwan
Saint James
11/26/2020: 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., National Guard Armory, 521 Armstrong Blvd. N.
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Winona
Saint Charles
11/18/2020: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., St. Charles Fire & Ambulance, 613 Church Ave.
11/19/2020: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., St. Charles Fire & Ambulance, 613 Church Ave.
Winona
11/16/2020: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Winona FAMILY ‘Y’, 207 Winona St.
11/27/2020: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., American Legion Post #9 Winona, 302 E. Sarnia
About blood donation
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.
