As summer officially begins and people gather for holiday celebrations, the American Red Cross reminds communities that patients are counting now on the generosity of blood and platelet donors, especially around the Fourth of July. 

The Red Cross sees about a 21% decline in blood and platelet donations during holiday weeks, including Independence Day. When blood donations drop, so does the blood supply, making it extremely challenging to ensure blood is available when hospitals need it.  

By scheduling and keeping appointments in July, donors can help provide for those in immediate need of lifesaving care. To schedule an appointment to donate, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1.800.RED.CROSS (1.800.733.2767).  

As a thank-you for helping, all those who come to give June 30-July 10 will receive an exclusive Red Cross recycled cotton tote bag, while supplies last.  

Upcoming blood donation opportunities July 1-15: 

Buncombe

Arden

7/8/2022: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Lowe's 2201 Arden, 19 McKenna Road

Asheville

7/1/2022: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Asheville Blood Donation Center, 100 Edgewood Road

7/1/2022: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Asheville Outlets, 800 Brevard Rd

7/2/2022: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Asheville Blood Donation Center, 100 Edgewood Road

7/3/2022: 7:45 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Asheville Blood Donation Center, 100 Edgewood Road

7/4/2022: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Asheville Blood Donation Center, 100 Edgewood Road

7/5/2022: 9:45 a.m. - 4:45 p.m., Asheville Blood Donation Center, 100 Edgewood Road

7/6/2022: 11:45 a.m. - 6:45 p.m., Asheville Blood Donation Center, 100 Edgewood Road

7/8/2022: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Asheville Blood Donation Center, 100 Edgewood Road

7/9/2022: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Asheville Blood Donation Center, 100 Edgewood Road

7/10/2022: 7:45 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Asheville Blood Donation Center, 100 Edgewood Road

7/11/2022: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Asheville Blood Donation Center, 100 Edgewood Road

7/12/2022: 9:45 a.m. - 4:45 p.m., Asheville Blood Donation Center, 100 Edgewood Road

7/13/2022: 11:45 a.m. - 6:45 p.m., Asheville Blood Donation Center, 100 Edgewood Road

7/15/2022: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Asheville Blood Donation Center, 100 Edgewood Road

7/15/2022: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Mt Herman Masonic Temple, 80 Broadway Street

7/16/2022: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Asheville Blood Donation Center, 100 Edgewood Road

7/17/2022: 7:45 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Asheville Blood Donation Center, 100 Edgewood Road

7/18/2022: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Asheville Blood Donation Center, 100 Edgewood Road

7/19/2022: 9:45 a.m. - 4:45 p.m., Asheville Blood Donation Center, 100 Edgewood Road

7/20/2022: 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., MAHEC - Biltmore Campus, 121 Hendersonville Road

7/20/2022: 11:45 a.m. - 6:45 p.m., Asheville Blood Donation Center, 100 Edgewood Road

7/22/2022: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Asheville Blood Donation Center, 100 Edgewood Road

Black Mountain

7/5/2022: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Black Mountain YMCA, 25 Jane Jacobs Rd.

7/8/2022: 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., First Baptist Church of Black Mountain, 130 Montreat Rd

7/14/2022: 1:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., Black Mountain Presbyterian Church, 117 Montreat Road

Candler

7/2/2022: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Enka Fire Dept, 85 Pisgah Highway

7/20/2022: 3 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Hominy Baptist Church - The Ministry Center, 135 Candler School Road

Fairview

7/22/2022: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Fairview Fire Department, 1586 Charlotte Highway

Swannanoa

7/15/2022: 2 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., One Focus Church, 372 Bee Tree Rd

7/16/2022: 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Harley Davidson of Asheville, 20 Patton Cove Road

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Cherokee

Andrews

7/11/2022: 1:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., Andrews United Methodist Church, 101 Chestnut Street

Marble

7/6/2022: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Marble Springs Baptist Church, 80 Marble Springs Church Rd.

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Clay

Hayesville

7/6/2022: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Clay Co. Community Services Bldg, 25 Riverside Circle

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Graham

Robbinsville

7/22/2022: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Graham County Department of Public Health, 191 P and J Road

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Haywood

Canton

7/11/2022: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Center Pigeon Fire Dept., 2412 Pisgah Drive, Highway 110

7/15/2022: 2 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Morning Star United Methodist Church, 2535 Dutch Cove Road

7/21/2022: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Canton First Baptist Church, 74 Academy St.

Clyde

7/9/2022: 7:30 a.m. - 12 p.m., Crabtree United Methodist Church, 5405 Crabtree Road

Lake Junaluska

7/21/2022: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Junaluska Fire Department, 90 Old Clyde Rd

Maggie Valley

7/5/2022: 1:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., Maggie Valley United Methodist Church, 4192 Soco Rd

Waynesville

7/13/2022: 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Senior Resource Center, 81 Elmwood Way

7/18/2022: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Apply4Medical2Day, 1523 S. Main Street

7/19/2022: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., Long's Chapel UMC, 133 Old Clyde Rd.

7/20/2022: 1 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., First Baptist Church Waynesville, 100 S. Main Street

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Henderson

Hendersonville

7/5/2022: 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Henderson County Offices, 211 1st Avenue East

7/18/2022: 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Henderson County Offices, 211 1st Avenue East

7/21/2022: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Henderson County Offices, 211 1st Avenue East

Mills River

7/22/2022: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Mills River Town Hall, 124 Town Center Dr

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Macon

Franklin

7/20/2022: 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Food Lion Franklin, 245 Macon Plaza Drive

7/22/2022: 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., Lowe's 0717 Franklin, 161 Franklin Plaza, Georgia Highway

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Swain

Cherokee

7/7/2022: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Yellow Hill Community Center, 1416 Acquoni Rd

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Transylvania

Brevard

7/13/2022: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., First Baptist Church, 122 Gaston St.

Pisgah Forest

7/1/2022: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Anchor baptist Church, 3232 Hendersonville Hwy.

Health insights for donors 

At a time when health information has never been more important, the Red Cross is 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 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 

The Red Cross follows a high standard of safety and infection control. The Red Cross will continue to socially distance wherever possible at blood drives, donation centers and facilities. While donors are no longer required to wear a face mask, individuals may choose to continue to wear a mask for any reason. The Red Cross will also adhere to more stringent face mask requirements per state and/or local guidance, or at the request of blood drive sponsors. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at a drive.  

How to donate blood

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.