LOS ANGELES, May 21, 2024 — The American Red Cross Los Angeles Region is excited to announce the grand opening of the Palmdale Red Cross Blood and Platelet Donation Center. On Friday, May 24, the donation center and chapter office will officially open its doors and begin collecting blood and platelets for patients, such as those battling cancer, accident victims, transplant recipients and those living with sickle cell disease.

The Palmdale center will provide a central location for donors, who used to have to travel to Woodland Hills or Burbank as the closest locations. This location will also be a space for local volunteers and community members interested in turning compassion into action as volunteers.

In addition to blood, donors can also donate platelets, which is the first time this option is being offered in Palmdale. Platelets are the clotting portion of blood and are primarily given to cancer patients. These tiny cells have a 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.

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 Palmdale Blood and Platelet 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.

“Every two seconds someone in the United States needs a blood transfusion. From trauma patients to new mothers facing childbirth complications, having an adequate blood supply can make a lifesaving difference,” said Joanne Nowlin, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region. “We are excited to open our doors in Palmdale to offer this new opportunity for donors and community members to join our humanitarian mission.”

In addition to the Palmdale Blood and Platelet Donation Center, individuals will also continue to be able to give blood at Red Cross blood drives across the Los Angeles community.

 Red Cross Palmdale Blood and Platelet Donation Center

2715 E Avenue P

Palmdale, CA 93550

Sunday: 7a.m. – 3 p.m.

Monday: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Friday: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Saturday: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.

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 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.

The Red Cross has teamed up with Tetris, creators of the iconic, best-selling video game, to celebrate their 40th anniversary and build the blood supply for patients in need. In commemoration, all who come to give May 20-June 9, 2024, will get an exclusive Tetris^® + Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last, plus be automatically entered for a chance to win a trip for two to New York to meet Tetris creator, Alexey Pajitnov. See RedCrossBlood.org/Tetris for details.

About the American Red Cross: 

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/la or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossLA.