Blood Donation Opportunities – Central PA
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.
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
Bradford
Canton
5/6/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Canton Moose Lodge, 41 Sullivan Street
Rome
5/14/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Windham Twp. Community Hall, 38846 State Route 187
Sayre
5/4/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Sayre Elks Club, 117 South Elmer Ave
Towanda
5/5/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Fairfield Inn and Suites, 1248 Golden Mile Road
5/12/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Towanda Fire Company, 101 Elm Street
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Clinton
Lock Haven
5/13/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Best Western Lock Haven, 101 East Walnut Street
5/13/2021: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., River Valley Regional YMCA, 145 East Water Street
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Columbia
Stillwater
5/10/2021: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Stillwater Christian Church, 39 McMichael Street
Berwick
5/11/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Bethany United Methodist Church, 116 Summerhill Avenue
Bloomsburg
5/11/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Columbia Mall, 225 Columbia Mall Dr
5/14/2021: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Bloomsburg YMCA, 30 East 7th Street
Benton
5/12/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Northern Columbia Community and Cultural Center, 42 Community Drive
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Lackawanna
Scranton Blood Donation Center, 3 West Olive Street
5/1/2021: 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
5/2/2021: 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
5/3/2021: 10:15 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.
5/4/2021: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
5/4/2021: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
5/5/2021: 11:45 a.m. – 7 p.m.
5/6/2021: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m.
5/8/2021: 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
5/9/2021: 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
5/10/2021: 10:15 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.
5/12/2021: 11:45 a.m. – 7 p.m.
5/13/2021: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m.
5/14/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
5/15/2021: 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Scranton
5/15/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., The Wright Center, 501 S Washington Ave
Clarks Summit
5/11/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Constantino’s Catering, 1385 Lackawanna Trail
Carbondale
5/13/2021: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., The Greater Carbondale YMCA, 82 North Main Street
Covington Township
5/6/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Daleville United Methodist Church, 423 Dorantown Road
Dunmore
5/7/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., La Buona Vita, 200 Reilly St
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Luzerne
Ashley, Wilkes-Barre Blood Donation Center, 29 New Commerce Blvd
5/1/2021: 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
5/2/2021: 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
5/3/2021: 12:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
5/4/2021: 12:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.
5/7/2021: 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
5/8/2021: 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
5/9/2021: 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
5/10/2021: 12:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
5/11/2021: 12:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.
5/14/2021: 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
5/15/2021: 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Mountain Top
5/1/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Christ United Methodist Church, 175 South Main Road
Swoyersville
5/14/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 116 Hughes Street
Shickshinny
5/15/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Masonic Sylvania Lodge 354, 249 Trailing Pine Road
Wilkes Barre
5/5/2021: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Ken Pollock Tire and Auto Center, 88 Wyoming Valley Mall
Dallas
5/6/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Dallas Shopping Center, 1 Tunkhannock Highway
Hazle Township
5/7/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., The Laurel Mall, 106 Laurel Mall
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Lycoming
Muncy
5/5/2021: 12 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Muncy Masonic Lodge, 28 Brummer Pond Road
Lairdsville
5/7/2021: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., Carl G. Renn Elementary School, 183 School Lane
Pennsdale
5/8/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Lycoming Mall, 300 Lycoming Mall Circle
Williamsport
5/12/2021: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Genetti Hotel, 200 West Fourth Street
5/14/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Divine Providence Hospital, 1100 Grampian Boulevard
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Monroe
Stroudsburg
5/5/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., YMCA, 809 Main Street
Gilbert
5/6/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., American Legion Post 927, 1 Fairground Road
Blakeslee
5/12/2021: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Faith Lutheran Church, 550 Rt 940
Mount Pocono
5/13/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Ray Price Auto Park-Mt. Pocono, 2969 Rt 940
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Pike
Hawley
5/7/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Central Volunteer Fire Dept. Station 27, 574 Westcolang Road
Milford
5/12/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Patricks Catholic Church, 111 East High Street
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Schuylkill
Llewellyn
5/13/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Good Intent Hose Co. #1, 12 Silverton Road
Schuylkill Haven
5/13/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Jerusalem Lutheran Church, 252 Dock Street
McAdoo
5/4/2021: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Boyers, 318 S Hancock St
Pottsville
5/5/2021: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Life Centre Foursquare Church, 2300 Mahantongo Street
5/8/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Fairlane Village Mall, 7211 Pottsville St. Clair Highway, Fairlane Village Mall Office
Pine Grove
5/6/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Pine Grove Ambulance, 46 Spruce Street
Tamaqua
5/6/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. John United Church of Christ, 150 Pine Street
5/12/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. John United Church of Christ, 150 Pine Street
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Sullivan
Muncy Valley
5/5/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Muncy Valley Fire Company, 11997 PA Route 42
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Wayne
Newfoundland
5/5/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Greene Dreher Fire Hall, 460 Crestmont Drive
Honesdale
5/11/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Lemnitzer Armory, 232 Tryon Street