Charlotte, NC — The American Red Cross stresses that blood and platelet donors are critically needed right now to combat a drastic shortfall in donations over the last several weeks. Donors of all blood types are needed, especially those with type O blood and donors giving platelets.

Record-breaking summer travel and severe weather conditions are expected to persist all season long, which may prevent donors from being able to give. When fewer people donate, less blood is available for hospital patients. Make a blood or platelet donation a priority this summer. Book a time to give now by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App. 

Those who come to give June 10-30, 2024, will get a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. See RedCrossBlood.org/DoGood for details.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities through June 30:

Alexander

Hiddenite

6/26/2024: 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Hiddenite Volunteer Fire Department, 4975 Hwy 90 East

Burke

Morganton

6/28/2024: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Burkemont Baptist Church, 4668 Burkemont Road

Rutherford College

6/23/2024: 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Crosslink, 400 Malcolm Blvd

Caldwell

Lenoir

6/21/2024: 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Caldwell County Public Library-Lenoir, 120 Hospital Ave NW

6/26/2024: 2:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Chick-fil-A Lenoir, 116 Wilkesboro Blvd SE

Catawba

Conover

6/20/2024: 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Conover Station Community Room, 403 Conover Station SE

Hickory

6/26/2024: 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Valley Hills Mall, 1960 Highway 70 SE

Cleveland

Kings Mountain

6/25/2024: 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Swoogers, 1016 Shelby Rd

Shelby

6/24/2024: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Aldersgate Methodist Church, 1207 W. Dixon Drive

6/27/2024: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Walls Memorial Baptist Church, 2223 Elizabeth Ave

Gaston

Belmont

6/26/2024: 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Living Hope Church, 510 S Point Church Rd

Bessemer City

6/24/2024: 2:30 p.m. – 7 p.m., First Baptist Church Bessemer City, 107 E. Washington

Gastonia

6/24/2024: 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 805 S York St

6/27/2024: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Target, 425 Cox Rd

Stanley

6/21/2024: 12:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Revival Tabernacle of Stanley, 212 S Main St

Iredell

Harmony

6/30/2024: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., North Iredell Rescue, 1538 Tabor Rd.

Mooresville

6/21/2024: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Harbor Church, 433 Williamson Rd

6/25/2024: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Victory Lanes Entertainment and Events Center, 125 Morlake Dr

Statesville

6/20/2024: 2:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., New Salem United Methodist Church, 155 New Salem Road

Troutman

6/26/2024: 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Iredell County Recreation Center, 122 Grannis Lane

Lincoln

Lincolnton

6/29/2024: 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Ingles Market, 2130 E Main S

How to donate blood

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.

For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.