Blood Donation Remains Essential Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

A year ago, many things in the world paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But the need for blood never stopped. Today blood donations are just as essential, and the American Red Cross urges individuals who are healthy to make an appointment to donate blood.

For patients in the emergency room, fighting cancer or coping with a life-threatening illness, help can’t wait. Their health is reliant on the selfless generosity of blood donors. However, the blood supply continues to face challenges from the ongoing pandemic and extreme winter weather that impacted much of the U.S. last month.

More donors, especially those with type O blood, are needed now to ensure that patients have lifesaving blood products available for emergencies and everyday medical treatments. Schedule a blood donation appointment 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.

March is Red Cross Month, and the Red Cross is celebrating blood, platelet and plasma donors for stepping up to meet the constant need for blood amid the pandemic. In thanks for being a vital part of the organization’s lifesaving mission, all who come to give March 15-26 will receive an exclusive Red Cross T-shirt, 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. Testing may also identify the presence of antibodies developed after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. 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. Plasma from whole blood donations that test positive for high levels of COVID-19 antibodies may be used to help COVID-19 patients.

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 March 15-31

Multnomah County

Portland

• 3/15/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Parkrose Community United Church of Christ, 12505 NE Halsey St
• 3/15/2021: 1:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Portland Blood Donation Center, 3131 N Vancouver Avenue
• 3/16/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Colliers International, 1201 NE Lloyd Blvd #150
• 3/16/2021: 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., The Grotto, 8840 NE Skidmore Street
• 3/16/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Portland Blood Donation Center, 3131 N Vancouver Avenue
• 3/17/2021: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., AC Hotel, 888 SW 3rd Avenue
• 3/17/2021: 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., The Grotto, 8840 NE Skidmore Street
• 3/17/2021: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Portland Blood Donation Center, 3131 N Vancouver Avenue
• 3/18/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Portland Blood Donation Center, 3131 N Vancouver Avenue
• 3/19/2021: 7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Portland Blood Donation Center, 3131 N Vancouver Avenue
• 3/19/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., CENTRL Office Pearl, 1355 NW Everett Street
• 3/19/2021: 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., West Portland United Methodist Church, 4729 SW Taylors Ferry Road
• 3/19/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 5239 SE Woodstock Blvd
• 3/20/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Portland Blood Donation Center, 3131 N Vancouver Avenue
• 3/21/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Portland Blood Donation Center, 3131 N Vancouver Avenue
• 3/22/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Whole Foods Market Portland, 1210 NW Couch Street
• 3/22/2021: 1:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Portland Blood Donation Center, 3131 N Vancouver Avenue
• 3/23/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Lloyd Center Mall - Vacant Space, 2201 Lloyd Center
• 3/23/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Portland Blood Donation Center, 3131 N Vancouver Avenue
• 3/24/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Lloyd Center Mall - Vacant Space, 2201 Lloyd Center
• 3/24/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Uptown NW Collection, 2240 NW Lovejoy Street
• 3/24/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Park 19 Apts PDX, 550 NW 19th Avenue
• 3/24/2021: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Portland Blood Donation Center, 3131 N Vancouver Avenue
• 3/24/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Washman Carwash PDX, 315 NE 82nd Avenue
• 3/25/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Courtyard Marriott City Center, 550 SW Oak Street
• 3/25/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Portland Blood Donation Center, 3131 N Vancouver Avenue
• 3/25/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Lloyd Center Mall - Vacant Space, 2201 Lloyd Center
• 3/25/2021: 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Woodstock Shopping Center, 4523 SE Woodstock
• 3/26/2021: 7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Portland Blood Donation Center, 3131 N Vancouver Avenue
• 3/26/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Courtyard Marriott City Center, 550 SW Oak Street
• 3/27/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Portland Blood Donation Center, 3131 N Vancouver Avenue
• 3/27/2021: 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., St Joseph The Worker, 2310 SE 148th Avenue
• 3/27/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Downtown Broadway Portland, 701 SW Broadway
• 3/29/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Radisson Red Portland, 1455 SW Broadway
• 3/29/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Deschutes Brewery & Public House, 210 NW 11th Ave
• 3/29/2021: 1:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Portland Blood Donation Center, 3131 N Vancouver Avenue
• 3/30/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Smile Station, 8210 SE 13th Avenue
• 3/30/2021: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., AC Hotel, 888 SW 3rd Avenue
• 3/30/2021: 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., The Grotto, 8840 NE Skidmore Street
• 3/30/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Ella PDX, 3833 S Bond Avenue
• 3/30/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Portland Blood Donation Center, 3131 N Vancouver Avenue
• 3/30/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Smile Station, 8210 SE 13th Avenue
• 3/31/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Portland Playhouse, 602 NE Prescott Street
• 3/31/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., CENTRL Office Pearl, 1355 NW Everett Street
• 3/31/2021: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Portland Blood Donation Center, 3131 N Vancouver Avenue
• 3/31/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Seventh-day Adventist Church, 15150 NE Glisan St.

Fairview

• 3/22/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Fairview City Hall, 1300 NE Village Street

Gresham

• 3/17/2021: 1:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., Motel 6, 1572 NE Burnside Road
• 3/18/2021: 1 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Gresham National Guard Armory, 544 NE Division Street
• 3/25/2021: 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., 7-Eleven at Kane - Gresham, 1016 NE Kane Drive
• 3/25/2021: 1 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., 7-Eleven at Kane - Gresham, 1016 NE Kane Drive
• 3/25/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Gresham National Guard Armory, 544 NE Division Street
• 3/30/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Baja Fresh Gresham, 1053 NW Civic Drive
• 3/31/2021: 1:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., Motel 6, 1572 NE Burnside Road

Washington: Clark County

Vancouver

• 3/15/2021: 1:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., Vancouver Blood Donation Center, 5109 NE 82nd Avenue
• 3/15/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Church of the Good Shepherd, 805 SE Ellsworth Rd.
• 3/15/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Church of the Good Shepherd, 805 SE Ellsworth Rd.
• 3/16/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., IAFF Local 452 - Fire Fighter Union Hall, 2807 Fruit Valley Road
• 3/16/2021: 1:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., Vancouver Blood Donation Center, 5109 NE 82nd Avenue
• 3/17/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Fred Meyer Salmon Creek, 800 NE Tenney Road
• 3/17/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., IAFF Local 452 - Fire Fighter Union Hall, 2807 Fruit Valley Road
• 3/17/2021: 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., Vancouver Blood Donation Center, 5109 NE 82nd Avenue
• 3/18/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., YMCA of Columbia Willamette, 11324 NE 51st Circle
• 3/18/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Tidewater Cove Condos, 1000 SE Tidewater Place
• 3/19/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Vancouver Blood Donation Center, 5109 NE 82nd Avenue
• 3/20/2021: 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Vancouver Blood Donation Center, 5109 NE 82nd Avenue
• 3/22/2021: 1 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., St Johns Catholic Church, 8701 NE 119th Street
• 3/22/2021: 1:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., Vancouver Blood Donation Center, 5109 NE 82nd Avenue
• 3/23/2021: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Kyocera, 5713 E. Fourth Plain Blvd.
• 3/23/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., LDS - Vancouver North Stake, 11101 NE 119th St.
• 3/23/2021: 1:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., Vancouver Blood Donation Center, 5109 NE 82nd Avenue
• 3/24/2021: 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., Vancouver Blood Donation Center, 5109 NE 82nd Avenue
• 3/25/2021: 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Compass Oncology, 210 SE 136th Ave.
• 3/26/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Vancouver Blood Donation Center, 5109 NE 82nd Avenue
• 3/26/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., US VA Medical Center - Building 11, 1601 E. Fourth Plain Blvd.
• 3/26/2021: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Chucks Produce Salmon Creek, 2302 NE 117th Street
• 3/26/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Bonaventure of Salmon Creek, 13700 NE Salmon Creek AVE
• 3/27/2021: 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Vancouver Blood Donation Center, 5109 NE 82nd Avenue
• 3/29/2021: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Chucks Produce Mill Plain, 13215 SE Mill Plain Blvd
• 3/29/2021: 1:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., Vancouver Blood Donation Center, 5109 NE 82nd Avenue
• 3/30/2021: 1:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., Vancouver Blood Donation Center, 5109 NE 82nd Avenue
• 3/31/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Charter College Vancouver, 17200 SE Mill Plain Blvd Ste 100
• 3/31/2021: 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., Vancouver Blood Donation Center, 5109 NE 82nd Avenue

Battle Ground

• 3/19/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Battle Ground High School, 204 W Main Street

Camas

• 3/17/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Prune Hill Bldg, 3017 NW 18th Avenue

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.