This spring as COVID-19 vaccines become more available and people resume some of their favorite activities, the American Red Cross is reminding the public that the need for blood remains. Healthy individuals are encouraged to make a blood donation appointment now. But what about those who've received a COVID-19 vaccine - can they donate?
As long as donors are symptom-free, feeling well and can provide the vaccine manufacturer's name, there's no waiting period required after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine currently authorized in the U.S. Additional blood donation eligibility information is available at RedCrossBlood.org/Eligibility.
Three reasons not to wait to donate:
- Donors, especially those with type O blood, are needed in May to help ensure blood products are available for patients now and into summer.
- Those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma in May will be automatically entered for a chance to win a travel trailer camper that sleeps five, powered by Suburban Propane.*
- Plus, those who make it in to give May 1-15 will receive a $5com Gift Card by email, courtesy of Suburban Propane.**
Schedule an appointment now to give blood and make it a summer full of life for patients. Appointments can be made 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.
Health insights 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 they developed symptoms. Testing may also identify the presence of antibodies developed after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.
Plasma from routine blood and platelet donations that test positive for high levels of antibodies may be used as convalescent plasma to meet potential future needs of COVID-19 patients. Convalescent plasma is a type of blood product collected from COVID-19 survivors who have antibodies that may help patients who are actively fighting the virus.
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.
At a time when health information has never been more important, the Red Cross is also screening all blood, platelet and plasma 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.
Donors can expect to receive antibody test and sickle cell trait screening results, if applicable, within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App and the online donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.
Blood drive safety
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.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities May 1-15
KENTUCKY
Allen
Scottsville
5/12/2021: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m., Scottsville Church of Christ, 1379 Smiths Grove Road
Christian
Fort Campbell
5/3/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Campbell Crossing, LLC., 1500 Spillway Court
5/10/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Byrd Health Clinic, 7973 Strike Blvd.
Logan
Auburn
5/14/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., New Friendship Baptist Church, 5030 Friendship Road
Lewisburg
5/7/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., Lewisburg Church of Christ, 128 South Main St
Russellville
5/5/2021: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Second Baptist Church, 401 East 2nd Street
Marshall
Calvert City
5/3/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Calvert City Civic Center, 991 E. 5th Ave.
Trigg
Cadiz
5/4/2021: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., St Stephen Catholic Church, 1698 Canton Rd.
Warren
Bowling Green
5/4/2021: 1:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Living Hope Baptist, 1805 Westen Ave
5/5/2021: 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Holiday Inn University Plaza & Sloan Convention Center, 1021 Wilkinson Trace
5/5/2021: 4 p.m. - 8 p.m., Hillvue Heights Church, 3219 Nashville Road
5/6/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 4754 Smallhouse Road
5/6/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Rich Pond Baptist Church, 200 Brad Ave
5/7/2021: 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Holiday Inn University Plaza & Sloan Convention Center, 1021 Wilkinson Trace
5/7/2021: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Crossland Community Church, 600 US 31W Byp, Ste 18 D
5/12/2021: 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Holiday Inn University Plaza & Sloan Convention Center, 1021 Wilkinson Trace
5/14/2021: 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Holiday Inn University Plaza & Sloan Convention Center, 1021 Wilkinson Trace
Oakland
5/12/2021: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Lions Club Smith Grove, 410 Church St
TENNESSEE
Bedford
Shelbyville
5/11/2021: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., First Baptist Shelbyville, 304 East Depot Street
Benton
Big Sandy
5/14/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Big Sandy Senior Citizen's Center, 224 2nd Ave.
Cheatham
Pleasant View
5/13/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., The Livery Stables, 1104 Main Street
Coffee
Tullahoma
5/11/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., First Baptist Church, 200 NE Atlantic St
Davidson
Joelton
5/14/2021: 7 a.m. - 12 p.m., Frontier Basement Systems, 5150 Hwy 41 A
Madison
5/10/2021: 7 a.m. - 11 a.m., Nashville Sheriff - Due West Towers, 610 Due West Avenue
5/10/2021: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Nashville Sheriff - Due West Towers, 610 Due West Avenue
5/11/2021: 7 a.m. - 11 a.m., Nashville Sheriff - Due West Towers, 610 Due West Avenue
5/11/2021: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Nashville Sheriff - Due West Towers, 610 Due West Avenue
5/12/2021: 7 a.m. - 11 a.m., Nashville Sheriff - Due West Towers, 610 Due West Avenue
5/12/2021: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Nashville Sheriff - Due West Towers, 610 Due West Avenue
Nashville
5/1/2021: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave
5/2/2021: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave
5/3/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave
5/4/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Light Hall 2215 Garland Ave
5/4/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave
5/5/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Light Hall 2215 Garland Ave
5/5/2021: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Vanderbilt University Medical Center 100 Oaks, 719 Thompson Lane
5/5/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Nashville Sounds, 19 Junior Gilliam Way
5/5/2021: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave
5/5/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Ford Ice Center Bellevue, 7638 B Highway 70 S
5/6/2021: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave
5/7/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Light Hall 2215 Garland Ave
5/7/2021: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave
5/8/2021: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave
5/9/2021: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave
5/10/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Light Hall, 2215 Garland Ave.
5/10/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave.
5/11/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Light Hall 2215 Garland Ave.
5/11/2021: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., The Loveless Cafe, 8400 Highway 100
5/11/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Metro Police S Police Precinct, 5101 Harding Place
5/11/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave.
5/11/2021: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Green Hills YMCA, 4041 Hillsboro Circle
5/12/2021: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave.
5/12/2021: 12 p.m. - 4 p.m., Our Savior Lutheran Church, 5110 Franklin Road
5/13/2021: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave.
5/14/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Light Hall 2215 Garland Ave.
5/14/2021: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave.
5/15/2021: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave.
5/15/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Franklin Road Academy, 4700 Franklin Pike
DeKalb
Smithville
5/4/2021: 1:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 201 South College Street
Dickson
Burns
5/5/2021: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m., Burns Church of Christ, 2718 Church Street
Dickson
5/12/2021: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Bank of Dickson, 466 Hwy 46 S.
5/13/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Dickson Cumberland Presbyterian, 500 Hwy 70 East
Hickman
Centerville
5/3/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Centerville Church of Christ, Outreach Center, 138 North Central Avenue
Marshall
Lewisburg
5/13/2021: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Church Street Church of Christ, 305 West Church Street
Maury
Columbia
5/7/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., American Legion Post 19, 812 Nashville Highway, Hwy 31 North
Mount Pleasant
5/3/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Main St Church of Christ, 210 N. Main St
Montgomery
Clarksville
5/3/2021: 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., American Red Cross, 1760 Madison Street
5/5/2021: 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., American Red Cross, 1760 Madison Street
5/10/2021: 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., American Red Cross, 1760 Madison Street
5/10/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Governor's Square Mall, 2801 Wilma Rudolph Blvd
5/12/2021: 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., American Red Cross, 1760 Madison Street
Robertson
Springfield
5/10/2021: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., The Center, 401 North Main Street
Rutherford
La Vergne
5/6/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Lavergne City Hall, 5093 Murfreesboro Road
Murfreesboro
5/1/2021: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.
5/2/2021: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.
5/3/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Murfreesboro Police Dept Headquarters, 1004 N. Highland Avenue
5/3/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.
5/4/2021: 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Rutherford County Sheriff's Department- Donor Coach, 940 New Salem Hwy.
5/4/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 5 p.m., Rutherford County Sheriff's Department- Donor Coach, 940 New Salem Hwy.
5/4/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.
5/6/2021: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.
5/7/2021: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.
5/7/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., World Outreach Church, 1921 New Salem Highway
5/7/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., North Boulevard Church of Christ, 1112 North Rutherford Boulevard
5/8/2021: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.
5/9/2021: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.
5/10/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., New Vision Baptist Church, 1750 N. Thompson Lane
5/10/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., North Boulevard Church of Christ, 1112 North Rutherford Boulevard
5/10/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.
5/11/2021: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue Dept., 1321 Medical Center Parkway
5/11/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.
5/13/2021: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.
5/13/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., World Outreach Church, 1921 New Salem Highway
5/14/2021: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.
5/15/2021: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.
Rockvale
5/6/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Rockvale High School, 6545 Highway 99
Smyrna
5/6/2021: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 300 Sam Hagar Street - Door C
Smith
Carthage
5/3/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Smith County Community Center, 939 Upper Ferry Road
Stewart
Dover
5/13/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Fort Donelson United Methodist Church, 420 Church Street
Sumner
Gallatin
5/4/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Sumner Regional Medical Center, 555 Hartsville Pike
5/6/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Gallatin Civic Center, 210 Albert Gallatin Avenue
5/10/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Sumner Station, 225 Big Station Camp Blvd
5/14/2021: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Gallatin Civic Center, 210 Albert Gallatin Avenue
Hendersonville
5/3/2021: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Hendersonville Public Library, 140 Saundersville Rd
5/12/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 217 East Main Street
5/13/2021: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Bluegrass Commons Office Park, 320 Bluegrass Commons Pkwy.
5/14/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Bluegrass Yacht & Country Club, 550 East Main Street
5/14/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Hendersonville Community Church, 381 West Main
Portland
5/4/2021: 12 p.m. - 4 p.m., Portland Church of Christ, 200 N Russell
Warren
Mc Minnville
5/12/2021: 1:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., McMinnville Community, 201 Locust Street
Williamson
Brentwood
5/4/2021: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., GEODIS, 7101 Executive Center Drive, Suite 300
5/5/2021: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Fifty Forward Martin Center, 8109 Concord Rd
5/6/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Bethel World Outreach Church, 5670 Granny White Pike
5/6/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., City of Brentwood, Brentwood Library, 8109 Concord Rd.
5/7/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., City of Brentwood, Brentwood Library, 8109 Concord Rd.
5/10/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., City of Brentwood, Brentwood Library, 8109 Concord Rd.
5/11/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., City of Brentwood, Brentwood Library, 8109 Concord Rd.
5/13/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., LifePoint Health, 330 Seven Springs Way
Franklin
5/4/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Oak Valley Baptist Church, 1161 Lewisburg Pike
5/5/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Epworth United Methodist Church, 4241 Arno. Rd
5/6/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Natchez Trace American Red Cross Chapter, 129 West Fowlkes St, Ste 100
5/6/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Residence Inn Berry Farms Franklin TN, 8078 Berry Farms Crossing
5/9/2021: 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Christ United Methodist Church, 508 Franklin Road
5/12/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., NHC Place at Cool Springs, 211 Cool Springs Blvd.
5/13/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Westhaven Residents Club, 401 Cheltenham Avenue
Nolensville
5/11/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Life Community Church, 930 Oldham Rd
5/13/2021: 1:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Nolensville First United Methodist Church, 7316 Nolensville Road
Thompsons Station
5/3/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Kroger Marketplace, 4726 Traders Way
