LAS VEGAS (June 28, 2021) — The American Red Cross continues to experience a severe blood shortage that is negatively affecting blood product availability across the country. Donors of all blood types – especially type O are urged to make an appointment to give now and help ensure hospital shelves are stocked with blood products over the Fourth of July holiday and beyond.  

Right now, the Red Cross is working around the clock to provide blood products to hospitals responding to an unusually high number of traumas and emergency room visits, as well as overdoses and resulting transplants. As a result of the blood shortage, some hospitals are being forced to slow the pace of elective surgeries until the blood supply stabilizes, delaying crucial patient care. 

In addition, while summer is traditionally a time when blood donations decline, this year is particularly challenging as many Americans receive their vaccinations and resume summer activities after more than a year of limited interactions and travel, leading to lower donor turnout. The need for blood doesn’t take a holiday break − patients still depend on lifesaving transfusions.

Donors are needed now to prevent further delays to patient care. Schedule an appointment to give blood now by using 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.

As a thank-you, all those who come to give July 1-6 will receive a Red Cross embroidered hat by mail,* while supplies last. And, donors who come to give July 7-31 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email, plus a chance to win gas for a year (a $5,000 value). (Terms and conditions apply; visit rcblood.org/fuel). 

In most cases, those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine can donate. However, knowing the name of the manufacturer of the vaccine they received is important in determining donation eligibility.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities June 28-July 15

NV

Clark

Henderson

7/9/2021: 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Green Valley Range, 175 Cassia Way

7/9/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Henderson Nevada Carnegie Stake, 2497 Cozy Hill Circle

Las Vegas

6/29/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Delta Air Lines Las Vegas, McCarran International Airport, 5757 Wayne Newton Blvd.

6/29/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Friendly Ford Las Vegas, 660 N Decatur Blvd.

6/30/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Jaguar Land Rover Las Vegas, 6425 Roy Horn Way

6/30/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., United Way of Southern Nevada, 5830 W Flamingo Rd.

6/30/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Meadows Mall, 4300 Meadows Lane

7/1/2021: 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Silverton Casino and Lodge, 3333 Blue Diamond Rd.

7/1/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Silverton Casino and Lodge, 3333 Blue Diamond Rd.

7/2/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Fashion Show Retail, 3200 South Las Vegas Blvd.

7/6/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., American Red Cross Southern Nevada Chapter, 444 E. Warm Springs Rd., Suite #110

7/7/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Las Vegas Motor Speedway, 7000 Las Vegas Blvd. N.

7/8/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., The Mob Museum, 300 Stewart Ave.

7/8/2021: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Rainbow Library, 3150 N. Buffalo Dr.

7/10/2021: 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., Las Vegas Nevada Lone Mountain Stake, 8801 W. Alexander

7/13/2021: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., American Red Cross Southern Nevada Chapter, 444 E. Warm Springs Rd., Suite 110

7/13/2021: 9:15 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Wells Fargo Bank - Spring Valley, 4016 S. Rainbow Blvd.

7/13/2021: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., American Red Cross Southern Nevada Chapter, 444 E. Warm Springs Rd., Suite 110

7/14/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Las Vegas Motor Speedway, 7000 Las Vegas Blvd. N.

7/14/2021: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Living Spaces Las Vegas, 700 S Rampart Blvd.

North Las Vegas

6/28/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Grace Point Church, 3794 W Ann Rd.

7/7/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Grace Point Church, 3794 W Ann Rd.

7/8/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., North Vista Hospital, 1301 E. Lake Mead Blvd.

7/15/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Grace Point Church, 3794 W Ann Rd.

About blood donation

To donate blood, individuals need to bring a blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification that 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.

Donors can also save up to 15 minutes at the blood drive by completing a RapidPass®. With RapidPass®, donors complete the pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of donation, from a mobile device or computer. To complete a RapidPass®, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

Health insights for donors  

At a time when health information has never been more important, the Red Cross is also screening all blood donations from self-identified African American donors for the sickle cell trait. This additional screening will provide Black donors with an additional health insight and help the Red Cross identify compatible blood types more quickly to help patients with sickle cell disease. Blood transfusion is an essential treatment for those with sickle cell disease, and blood donations from individuals of the same race, ethnicity and blood type have a unique ability to help patients fighting sickle cell disease.