Contact: Marita Salkowski
513-477-1694 | Marita.salkowski@redcross.org

CINCINNATI, Ohio (August 19, 2025) — Tri-State residents wanting to make a lifesaving difference now have the chance to donate blood and platelets at the American Red Cross Blood and Platelet Donation Center in Cincinnati. On September 3, 2025, the donation center will begin operation at the chapter office location at 2111 Dana Avenue.
 

Cincinnati Red Cross Blood and Platelet Donation Center

Tuesdays and Wednesdays: 11 a.m. - 7:15 p.m.
Fridays and Saturdays: 7 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Closed Sunday, Monday and Thursday

This is the first time donors are able to give platelets with the Red Cross in Cincinnati. 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.

The Red Cross is the nation’s largest supplier of blood, collecting, processing and distributing about 40% of the nation’s blood supply. As a national network, the Red Cross has a unique responsibility to help ensure blood is available for patients whenever and wherever it is needed most. 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 Cincinnati 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.

Those who come to give blood or platelets at the new Cincinnati Blood Donation Center September 3 through October 1 will receive an exclusive Red Cross large, waxed canvas tote, while supplies last.

Additionally, in celebration of the 75th anniversary of PEANUTS®, those who come to give blood-- at any Red Cross blood drive or collection site--August 29-September 21 will receive an exclusive Red Cross x PEANUTS mystery bag with 1 of 4 special T-shirt designs, while they last. Open the bag to reveal which iconic design is yours!

In addition to the Cincinnati Blood Donation Center, individuals will also continue to be able to give blood at Red Cross blood drives across the Tri-State.

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 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.

Blood donation safety precautions
To protect the health and safety of Red Cross staff and donors, individuals who do not feel well or who believe they may be ill with COVID-19 should postpone their 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 masks 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 mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.
 

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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 www.redcross.org/cincinnati or join us on Facebook and X at @ARCcsor or on LinkedIn ARC Central and Southern Ohio.