RICHMOND, Va. (December 27, 2018) — Following the acquisition of assets of Virginia Blood Services in November 2018, opportunities for community members to give blood and platelets, as well as volunteer openings to host blood drives under the American Red Cross name, are expanding in the Virginia area.
Platelet donations – the blood component that prevents bleeding and is often needed by cancer patients – will be collected at donation centers in Richmond, Charlottesville, Glen Allen, Harrisonburg and North Chesterfield beginning Jan. 2. Blood donations will resume at these donation centers as well later in 2019. In the meantime, blood donors can give blood at many convenient community blood drives throughout the area or at donation centers in Blacksburg, Roanoke, Lynchburg, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach where blood and platelet donations continue to be collected.
“We are excited to welcome all blood and platelet donors to the Red Cross in 2019,” said James Hatcher III, regional chief executive officer of the Virginia Red Cross. “The Red Cross now serves the majority of hospitals throughout Virginia with lifesaving blood and platelets and relies on the continued support and generosity of all eligible donors to help save lives.”
These donation centers will reopen as the Red Cross faces a seasonal decline in blood donations, when donors get busy with family gatherings and holiday travel. Blood and platelet donors are urgently needed to give now to ensure patient needs are met in the coming weeks. In thanks, those who come to give through Jan. 6 will receive a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.
To find blood and platelet donation opportunities and schedule appointments, eligible donors can use the free Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Blood drive hosts are also needed. More information about this key volunteer opportunity can be found at RedCrossBlood.org/HostADrive. Donation centers are located at the following addresses:
Arboretum Blood Donation Center 9200 Arboretum Parkway#102 North Chesterfield, Virginia |
Emerywood Blood Donation Center 2825 Emerywood Parkway Richmond, Virginia |
Innsbrook Blood Donation Center 4040-A Cox Road Glen Allen, Virginia |
Harrisonburg Blood Donation Center 182 Neff Avenue Harrisonburg, Virginia
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Charlottesville Blood Donation Center 606 Albemarle Square Charlottesville, Virginia
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What to know about donating blood
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 must 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.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit RedCross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.