Blood collection disrupted in Southeast; threat of storms persists through October
Vermont Business Magazine The American Red Cross continues to work to restock critically needed blood products uncollected due to the ongoing impact of Hurricane Helene’s devastation in the Southeast. Donors outside of affected areas are encouraged to make an appointment to give now and help keep the blood supply stable in the weeks to come. Multiple donation sites are available in Vermont. See below.
Since making landfall, the storm and its aftermath have led to the cancellation of more than 100 blood drives, causing thousands of blood and platelet donations to go uncollected. For so many people living with urgent medical care needs, blood transfusions are essential, and donations in the Southeast are key to keeping our nationwide network stocked. The Red Cross operates through a national inventory with the ability to move blood wherever and whenever it is needed most.
The time to give blood or platelets is now. Bring hope to those in need by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App. As the Red Cross continues to urge people to give blood or platelets now, our teams are also on the ground providing vital relief − like food, water, shelter and support − in communities devastated by Hurricane Helene. If you’re able to help those impacted by disasters big and small across the country, like Helene, please consider making a gift of any amount.
All who come to give blood, platelets or plasma Oct. 1-31 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email, plus be automatically entered for a chance to win one of three $5,000 gift cards. For full details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Treat.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Oct. 8-31:
Addison
Middlebury
10/16/2024: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Champlain Valley Unitarian Universalist Society, 2 Duane Court
10/22/2024: 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Vermont Hard Cider, 1321 Exchange Street
Vergennes
10/22/2024: 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Victory Baptist Church, 862 US-7
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Bennington
Arlington
10/18/2024: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Arlington High School, 529 East Arlington Road
Manchester Center
10/17/2024: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Zion Episcopal Church, 5167 Main Street
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Caledonia
Lyndonville
10/16/2024: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., VFW Lyndonville, 156 Hill St.
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Chittenden
Charlotte
10/17/2024: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Charlotte Senior Center, 212 Ferry Road
Colchester
10/15/2024: 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Our Lady of Grace Church, 784 Main St
Essex Junction
10/23/2024: 12:30 p.m. - 5 p.m., Essex Alliance Church Community Building, 37 Old Stage Rd
10/26/2024: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., The Essex Resort & Spa - The Mansion, 70 Essex Way
Jericho
10/10/2024: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Catalyst Church on Raceway, 100 Raceway Road
Milton
10/31/2024: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Milton High School, 17 Rebecca Lander Drive
Richmond
10/9/2024: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, 64 W Main Street
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Franklin
Enosburg Falls
10/10/2024: 12 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Enosburg American Legion, 108 Depot Street
Saint Albans
10/26/2024: 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., St. Mary's, 45 Fairfield St.
10/31/2024: 12:30 p.m. - 5 p.m., St. Albans City Hall, 100 N. Main St.
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Lamoille
Cambridge
10/12/2024: 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., Fletcher Elementary School, 340 School Road
10/17/2024: 12 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Village Lodge, 4323 Vermont Rte 108
Johnson
10/25/2024: 12 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Jenna's Promise, 117 St. Johns Rd.
Morrisville
10/25/2024: 11:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., VFW, 28 Pleasant Street
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Orange
Randolph
10/24/2024: 12:30 p.m. - 5 p.m., Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church, 43 Hebard Hill Rd
Wells River
10/30/2024: 12:30 p.m. - 5 p.m., Blue Mountain High School, 2420 Route 302
Williamstown
10/29/2024: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Williamstown High School, 120 Hebert Road
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Orleans
Irasburg
10/14/2024: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Irasburg United Church, 4714 Route 14
Newport
10/23/2024: 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Vermont Department of Health - Newport, 100 Main St
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Rutland
Bomoseen
10/31/2024: 12 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Castleton American Legion, 378 Route 4a West
Brandon
10/14/2024: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Brandon American Legion, 550 Franklin Street
Killington
10/21/2024: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Killington Grand Resort Hotel, 228 East Mountain Road
Pittsford
10/18/2024: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., St. Alphonsus Liguori Church, 2918 US-7
Rutland
10/9/2024: 1 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Elks Lodge #345, 44-46 Pleasant Street
10/12/2024: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Rutland Regional Medical Center, 160 Allen Street
10/29/2024: 12 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Grace Congregational Church, 8 Court Street
West Rutland
10/30/2024: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., West Rutland Town Hall, 35 Marble Street
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Washington
Barre
10/8/2024: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Barre Auditorium-off cycle, 16 Auditorium Hill
Berlin
10/25/2024: 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Central Vermont Medical Center, 130 Fisher Road
Cabot
10/18/2024: 12:30 p.m. - 5 p.m., Neighbors in Action, 3339 Main Street
Montpelier
10/8/2024: 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Green Mountain Power, 7 Green Mountain Dr.
10/11/2024: 10:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., Bethany United Church of Christ, 115 Main Street
10/19/2024: 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St
Northfield
10/24/2024: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., American Legion Post 63, 48 Depot Sq
Plainfield
10/28/2024: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Twinfield High School, 106 Naismith Brook Road
Waitsfield
10/30/2024: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Cabot Creamery Waitsfield Headquarters, 193 Home Farm Way
Waterbury
10/8/2024: 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., American Legion, 16 Stowe St
Waterbury Village Historic District
10/19/2024: 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Functional Fitness, 53 N Main St
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Windham
Bellows Falls
10/17/2024: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., United Church of Bellows Falls, 8 School Street
Brattleboro
10/8/2024: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Brattleboro VT Fraternal Order of the Eagles, 54 Chickering Drive, Unit 1
10/26/2024: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Winston Prouty Center - Thomas Hall, 209 Austine Drive
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Windsor
Chester
10/10/2024: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Green Mountain Union High School, 716 VT-103
Rochester
10/10/2024: 12:30 p.m. - 5 p.m., Pierce Hall, 38 Main Street
Springfield
10/9/2024: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Springfield Elks, 49 Park Street
White River Junction
10/25/2024: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Upper Valley Aquatic Center, 100 Arboretum Lane
Windsor
10/15/2024: 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Windsor VT Elks, 156 Main St
Woodstock
10/11/2024: 11:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Masonic Temple, 30 Pleasant St.
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.
Amplify your impact − volunteer!
Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross is to become a volunteer blood donor ambassador at Red Cross blood drives. Blood donor ambassadors help greet, check in and thank blood donors to ensure they have a positive donation experience.
Volunteers can also serve as transportation specialists, playing a vital role in ensuring lifesaving blood products are delivered to nearby hospitals. For more information and to apply for either position, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.
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 or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
Source: BURLINGTON, Vt., Oct. 8, 2024 — The American Red Cross

