KINGSTON, Mass. (October 10) — People wanting to make a lifesaving difference in Kingston now have a new place to donate blood and platelets at the American Red Cross Kingston Blood Donation Center, 160 Summer Street. This donation center collects blood and platelet donations for patients, such as those battling cancer, accident victims, transplant recipients and those living with sickle cell disease.

This is the first-time donors can give platelets with the Red Cross in Kingston. Platelets are the clotting portion of blood and are needed for many reasons, but they are primarily given to cancer patients. These tiny cells have a very short shelf life – just five days from the time they are donated – so there is a constant, often critical, need for new and current donors to give to keep up with hospital demand for platelets. Until now, prospective platelet donors needed to travel to one of the other Red Cross blood donation centers (Boston, Danvers, Dedham, Raynham, Weymouth, Worcester or Springfield).

Having a readily available blood supply is vital for patients whose survival depends on transfusions. Donating blood is essential to community health, and volunteer donors are the only source of blood for those in need. By making an appointment to give blood or platelets at the Kingston Blood Donation Center, donors can feel good knowing that they may be helping patients not only in their community, but also their family and friends across the nation.

“From mothers experiencing childbirth complications to those facing trauma situations in the emergency room, many of us may be connected to someone who has relied on lifesaving blood products,” said Holly Grant, CEO of the Red Cross of Massachusetts. “The Red Cross is pleased to offer donors this new opportunity to help provide hope, healing and access to treatment for patients in need.”

In addition to the Kingston Blood Donation Center, individuals will also continue to be able to give blood at Red Cross blood drives across the Plymouth County

Kingston Red Cross Blood Donation Center
160 Summer St
Kingston, MA 02364

How to donate blood or platelets

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 predonation 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% 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/MA or CruzRojaAmericana.org. Follow us on social media: Red Cross of Massachusetts on Facebook and LinkedIn, @RedCrossMA on X (formerly Twitter) @AmericanRedCross on Instagram and TikTok.