Blood Donors Needed In Chicago Area: Red Cross Drives Coming Up Soon

CHICAGO, IL — The nation's blood supply shortage has reached a critical point. The Red Cross and other organizations are urging people to donate soon.

There is an especially large demand for type O donations; the country has about a one-day supply of the highly needed blood type, according to the Red Cross.

Hospitals are treating a high number of traumatic injuries this summer. There is also high demand for organ transplants and elective surgeries.

The Red Cross has distributed about 12 percent more blood donations to hospitals across the U.S. this year compared with the same time last year.

People who donate blood during August will receive a free four-month subscription to Apple Music (new subscribers only). Those who donate between Aug. 1 and 15 will automatically be entered for a chance to win a VIP trip for two to the 2021 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival.

Here are the Red Cross blood drives coming up in the Chicago area in the next few weeks. You can search for additional Red Cross blood drives from a wider area here.

• 8/1/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., The R. Scott Falk Family Blood Donation Site, Rauner Center, 2200 W Harrison (Chicago)
• 8/1/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Old St. Mary's Church, 1500 S. Michigan Avenue (Chicago)
• 8/1/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Lakeshore Sport and Fitness, 1320 W Fullerton Ave (Chicago)
• 8/2/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Aloft Chicago Mag Mile, 243 E Ontario St (Chicago)
• 8/2/2021: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., The R. Scott Falk Family Blood Donation Site, Rauner Center, 2200 W Harrison (Chicago)
• 8/3/2021: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., The R. Scott Falk Family Blood Donation Site, Rauner Center, 2200 W Harrison (Chicago)
• 8/4/2021: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., The R. Scott Falk Family Blood Donation Site, Rauner Center, 2200 W Harrison (Chicago)
• 8/5/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., CBRE Lincoln Park, 935 West North Avenue (Chicago)
• 8/5/2021: 9:45 a.m. - 5 p.m., The R. Scott Falk Family Blood Donation Site, Rauner Center, 2200 W Harrison (Chicago)
• 8/6/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., The R. Scott Falk Family Blood Donation Site, Rauner Center, 2200 W Harrison (Chicago)
• 8/6/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., American Red Cross of Greater Chicago and Northern Illinois, 2200 West Harrison Street (Chicago)
• 8/7/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., The R. Scott Falk Family Blood Donation Site, Rauner Center, 2200 W Harrison (Chicago)
• 8/8/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., The R. Scott Falk Family Blood Donation Site, Rauner Center, 2200 W Harrison (Chicago)
• 8/9/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, 836 W Wellington Ave (Chicago)
• 8/9/2021: 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Willis Tower, 233 S. Wacker Drive (Chicago)
• 8/9/2021: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., The R. Scott Falk Family Blood Donation Site, Rauner Center, 2200 W Harrison (Chicago)
• 8/10/2021: 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Marc Realty, 55 East Jackson, Office of the Building (Chicago)
• 8/10/2021: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., The R. Scott Falk Family Blood Donation Site, Rauner Center, 2200 W Harrison (Chicago)
• 8/11/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Mid America Club, 200 East Randolph (Chicago)
• 8/11/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., 150 N Riverside Plaza, 150 N. Riverside Plaza (Chicago)
• 8/11/2021: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., The R. Scott Falk Family Blood Donation Site, Rauner Center, 2200 W Harrison (Chicago)
• 8/12/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Cook County Human Resources, George Dunne Administration Building, 69 West Washington (Chicago)
• 8/12/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Chicago The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 822 N Clark St (Chicago)
• 8/12/2021: 9:45 a.m. - 5 p.m., The R. Scott Falk Family Blood Donation Site, Rauner Center, 2200 W Harrison (Chicago)
• 8/13/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., The R. Scott Falk Family Blood Donation Site, Rauner Center, 2200 W Harrison (Chicago)
• 8/14/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., The R. Scott Falk Family Blood Donation Site, Rauner Center, 2200 W Harrison (Chicago)
• 8/15/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., The R. Scott Falk Family Blood Donation Site, Rauner Center, 2200 W Harrison (Chicago)
• 8/13/2021: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Belvedere Events and Banquets, 1170 West Devon (Elk Grove Village)

Editor's note: This list was automatically generated using data compiled by the American Red Cross. The local blood drives included in the list are limited to those at the time the Red Cross data was pulled. Please visit RedCrossBlood.org for the most current listing of drives. Please report any errors or other feedback to content@patch.com. Know of another blood drive coming up in your area? You can add it to the Patch calendar using this form.

People who have received a coronavirus vaccine can donate blood so long as they are symptom-free, feeling well and can provide the vaccine manufacturer's name, according to the American Red Cross. There is no waiting period after getting a vaccine dose.

In most states, donors need to be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in generally good health; some states allow 16-year-olds to donate with parental consent. Donors 18 years old and younger need to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive. Appointments can be made via the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, online or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS.