Summer blood and platelet donations vital to avoid blood supply impact

RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — Atlantic hurricane season began this month. Disasters like hurricanes and severe summer weather can disrupt blood drives for several days and impact the momentum of a growing blood supply. Help the American Red Cross plan for the unexpected by making an appointment to give blood or platelets.

Even when hospitals are fully stocked with blood products, sudden events can cause a rapid drop in the availability of lifesaving transfusions. While many may be engaging in outdoor adventures this month, the Red Cross asks people to continue making and keeping donation appointments a part of their June plans.

Blood has a shelf life of 42 days, which means ongoing donations are key to ensure medical needs are met. Type O blood donors and those giving platelets are especially needed as the summer season continues.

June 14 is World Blood Donor Day, and June 19 is World Sickle Cell Day. Join the Red Cross in celebrating the spirit of humanity by giving blood or platelets. Visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App to book a time to donate. Those who come to give June 1-30, 2025, will get a $15 Amazon.com Gift Card by email and will be automatically entered for a chance to win one of two $7,000 gift cards. Terms apply. Visit RedCrossBlood.org/June.

Here are the upcoming blood donation opportunities (June 16-30) happening in the Cape Fear:

Brunswick

Calabash
6/20/2025: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., South Brunswick Islands Rotary Club, 670 Hickman Road NW

Holden Beach
6/26/2025: 12:30 p.m. – 5 p.m., Holden Beach Chapel, 107 Rothschild Ave

Leland
6/30/2025: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Wilmington Health Leland, 9101 Ocean Hwy E

Ocean Isle Beach
6/24/2025: 11:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Waterway Cove, 1643 Waterway Cove Drive SW

Shallotte
6/23/2025: 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Shallotte Presbyterian Church, 5070 MH Rourk Dr.

Southport
6/9/2025: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Trinity United Methodist Church, 209 East Nash Street
6/17/2025: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., St Peter Lutheran Church, 4843 Hwy 211, Southport-Supply Rd. SE
6/27/2025: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., JayCee Building, 309 N Fodale Ave
6/30/2025: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Southport Presbyterian Church, 1025 E Moore St
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New Hanover

Carolina Beach
6/9/2025: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., St. Pauls UMC  Carolina Beach, 300 Harper Ave
6/11/2025: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Carolina Beach Recreation Center, 1121-B, 1121 N Lake Park Blvd

Kure Beach
6/16/2025: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Kure Beach First Baptist Church, 208 S 6th Ave

Wilmington
6/9/2025: 12 p.m. – 7 p.m., Wilmington NC Blood Donation Center, 1102 South 16th Street
6/10/2025: 12 p.m. – 7 p.m., Wilmington NC Blood Donation Center, 1102 South 16th Street
6/10/2025: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Saint Stephen AME Church, 501 Red Cross Street
6/11/2025: 12 p.m. – 7 p.m., Wilmington NC Blood Donation Center, 1102 South 16th Street
6/12/2025: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Hawthorne at the Station, 531 Old Maccumber Station Rd
6/12/2025: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., American Red Cross, 1102 S 16th St
6/13/2025: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Wilmington NC Blood Donation Center, 1102 South 16th Street
6/13/2025: 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Lowe’s Home Improvement, 354 College Rd
6/13/2025: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Shipwreck Harley-Davidson, 6220 Market Street
6/14/2025: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Wilmington NC Blood Donation Center, 1102 South 16th Street
6/15/2025: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Wilmington NC Blood Donation Center, 1102 South 16th Street
6/16/2025: 12 p.m. – 7 p.m., Wilmington NC Blood Donation Center, 1102 South 16th Street
6/17/2025: 12 p.m. – 7 p.m., Wilmington NC Blood Donation Center, 1102 South 16th Street
6/18/2025: 12 p.m. – 7 p.m., Wilmington NC Blood Donation Center, 1102 South 16th Street
6/19/2025: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Independence Mall, 3500 Oleander Drive
6/20/2025: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Wilmington NC Blood Donation Center, 1102 South 16th Street
6/20/2025: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Marsh Oaks, 117 Marsh Oaks Drive
6/21/2025: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Wilmington NC Blood Donation Center, 1102 South 16th Street
6/22/2025: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Wilmington NC Blood Donation Center, 1102 South 16th Street
6/23/2025: 12 p.m. – 7 p.m., Wilmington NC Blood Donation Center, 1102 South 16th Street
6/24/2025: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center, 2131 South 17th. Street
6/24/2025: 12 p.m. – 7 p.m., Wilmington NC Blood Donation Center, 1102 South 16th Street
6/25/2025: 12 p.m. – 7 p.m., Wilmington NC Blood Donation Center, 1102 South 16th Street
6/27/2025: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Wilmington NC Blood Donation Center, 1102 South 16th Street
6/27/2025: 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., De Sales Faith Formation Center, 6650 Carolina Beach Road
6/28/2025: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Wilmington NC Blood Donation Center, 1102 South 16th Street
6/29/2025: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Wilmington NC Blood Donation Center, 1102 South 16th Street
6/30/2025: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., EmergeOrtho-Seagate, 6019 Oleander Dr
6/30/2025: 12 p.m. – 7 p.m., Wilmington NC Blood Donation Center, 1102 South 16th Street

Wrightsville Beach
6/25/2025: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Wrightsville Beach Police and Fire Department, 3 Bob Sawyer Drive
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Pender

Burgaw
6/16/2025: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., N C  Cooperative Extension  Pender County Center, 801 S Walker St

Surf City
6/25/2025: 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Hudson Bishop Creek, 1040 Vinson Wy
6/25/2025: 12:30 p.m. – 4 p.m., Hudson Bishop Creek, 1040 Vinson Wy
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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.

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.