Media contact: Ronnika A. McFall
Phone: 678-614-3643
Twitter: @RedCrossBloodGA
Webpage: RedCrossBlood.org
(March 24, 2020) — The American Red Cross continues to face a severe blood shortage due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Healthy individuals are needed to give now to help patients counting on lifesaving blood.
Through March 22, 6,000 Red Cross blood drives have been canceled across the country due to coronavirus concerns, resulting in 200,000 fewer blood donations. This includes 9,907 fewer donations in Georgia.
The Red Cross is adding appointment slots at donation centers and expanding capacity at many community blood drives across the country over the next few weeks to ensure ample opportunities for donors to give.
Donating blood is a safe process, and Red Cross employees are following thorough safety protocols to help prevent the spread of any type of disease or infection. Over the past month, out of an abundance of caution, the Red Cross has put additional precautions in place at blood drives to further protect the health and safety of blood donors.
In fact, the U.S. surgeon general has said, “(Y)ou can still go out and give blood. We’re worried about potential blood shortages in the future. Social distancing does not have to mean social disengagement.”
Individuals can schedule an appointment to give blood with the Red Cross by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. Donors are asked to make an appointment before showing up to donate in order to manage the flow of donors appropriately in alignment with social distancing practices.
Georgia Red Cross Blood Donation Centers:
Alpharetta Blood Donation Center
3000 Old Alabama RD
Alpharetta, GA 30022
Sun 7AM - 3PM
Mon 12PM - 8PM
Tue 12PM - 8PM
Wed 12PM - 8PM
Thu 12PM - 8PM
Fri 8:30AM - 4:30PM
Sat 7AM - 3PM
Athens Blood Donation Center
Clarke Crossing Shopping Ctr.
3525 Atlanta Highway,
Athens, GA 30606
Sun 7AM - 3PM
Mon 12PM - 8PM
Tue 12PM - 8PM
Wed 12PM - 8PM
Thu 8AM - 4PM
Fri 8AM - 4PM
Sat 7AM - 3PM
Cobb Blood Donation Center
East Lake Shopping Center
Marietta, GA 30062
Sun 7AM- 3PM
Mon 7AM- 3PM
Tue 12PM - 8PM
Wed 12PM - 8PM
Thu 11AM - 7PM
Fri 7AM - 3PM
Sat 7AM - 3PM
Columbus Blood Donation Center
7490 Veterans Parkway
Columbus, GA 31909
Sun Closed
Mon Closed
Tue 12PM - 8PM
Wed 12PM - 8PM
Thu 12PM - 8PM
Fri 8AM - 4PM
Sat 7AM - 3PM
Douglasville Blood Processing Center
9851 Commerce Way,
Douglasville, GA 30135
Wed. March 18 – Fri. March 20 10AM – 3PM
Mon. March 23 – Fri. March 27 10AM – 3PM
Duluth Blood Donation Center
3090 Premiere Pkwy
Duluth, GA 30097
Sun 7AM - 3PM
Mon 12PM - 8PM
Tue 12PM - 8PM
Wed 12PM - 8PM
Thu 12PM - 8PM
Fri 8:30AM - 4:30PM
Sat 7AM - 3PM
Macon Community Coliseum
Northside Hospital - Northside
Conference Room 400
Charter Blvd Macon, GA 31210
Wed Mar. 26 noon – 6 p.m.
Mon. Mar. 30 noon – 6 p.m.
Midtown Blood Donation Center
1955 Monroe Drive
Atlanta, GA 30324
Sun 7AM - 3PM
Mon 7AM - 3PM
Tue 12PM - 8PM
Wed 12PM - 8PM
Thu 12PM - 8PM
Fri 11AM - 7PM
Sat 7AM - 3PM
Metro Atlanta Chapter Office
1955 Monroe Drive
Atlanta, GA 30324
(This location is adjacent to the
Midtown Blood Donation Center, and
donors should enter through the donation
center and will be directed back to this
additional blood drive operation.)
Sun 7AM - 3PM
Mon 7AM - 3PM
Tue 12PM - 8PM
Wed 12PM - 8PM
Thu 12PM - 8PM
Fri 11AM - 7PM
Sat 7AM - 3PM
Piedmont Athens Regional
Loran Smith Center for Cancer Support
240 Talmadge Drive
Athens, GA 30606
Mon 10 AM – 4 PM
Tues 10 AM – 4 PM
Wed 10 AM – 4 PM
Thurs 10 AM – 4 PM
Fri 10 AM – 4 PM
Piedmont Oconee Campus
1305 Jennings Mill Rd.
Watkinsville, GA 30677
Sat 10 AM – 4 PM
Sun 10 AM – 4 PM
Rome Community
Rome Chapter Office
112 John Maddox Dr. NW
Rome, GA 30165
Tues. Mar 18 – Fri. Mar 20 9am-7pm
Mon. Mar 23- Fri. Mar 27 9am-7pm
Savannah Donation Center
25 Tibet Ave.
Savannah, GA 31406
Sun 7AM - 12PM
Mon 12PM - 8PM
Tue 12PM - 8PM
Wed 12PM - 8PM
Thu 12PM - 8PM
Fri 8AM - 4PM
Sat 7AM - 3PM
Tifton Methodist Church – Fellowship Hall
107 West 12th Street
Tifton, GA 31794
Mon. Mar. 23 10AM-5PM
Wed. Mar. 25 1PM-5PM
Tues. Mar. 31 noon – 6 PM
Valdosta Donation Center
2517 Bemiss Road
Valdosta, GA 31602
Sun Closed
Mon 12PM - 7:30PM
Tue 12PM - 7:30PM
Wed 12PM - 7:30PM
Thu 8AM - 3:30PM
Fri 8AM - 3:30PM
Sat 7AM - 2:30PM
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.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% 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 redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.