Roll up a sleeve and save a life
Help ensure there is blood for those in need and sign up to donate at an upcoming blood drive sponsored by the City of Berkeley, Berkeley Unified School District, and the American Red Cross.
Someone in the U.S. needs blood on an average of every two seconds, but blood donations have dramatically decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Volunteer donors are the only source of lifesaving blood for trauma and cancer patients, accident and burn victims, people with blood disorders, and more.
New screening, cleaning, physical distance and other new measures now increase safety for blood donors and workers. All blood types are needed and people who have never donated before are encouraged to donate.
Make an appointment
Donors will need to make an online appointment in advance. The blood drive will be held:
Tuesday, August 4 9am-3pm
Berkeley High School, Donahue Gym
2224 Milvia Street (at Bancroft)
There are two types of appointments available: whole blood and "power red." Whole blood donations can be given by any blood type and take about one hour. You can give whole blood every 56 days.
Eligible donors with type O, A negative, or B negative blood can register for a power red donation, which allows you to safely donate two units of red blood cells during one appointment. Power red donations take 90 minutes, and can be given up to 3 times per year.
You'll need to bring your ID to the appointment. Save time at the blood drive by completing your pre-donation paperwork online through Red Cross RapidPass on the day of your appointment.
The Red Cross is testing all donated blood for COVID-19 antibodies as an additional health service for donors.
Blood donations are safe
The Red Cross has adopted new safety protocols to keep employees and donors at blood drives safe during COVID-19, including:
- Cleaning donor-touched areas after every collection
- Screening and temperature checks for donors on arrival
- Increasing space between donors and donor beds to comply with social distancing requirements
- Using sterile collection sets for every donation
- Enhanced disinfecting of surfaces and equipment
- Providing hand sanitizer for use before entering and throughout appointment
All blood donors are required to wear face coverings over their nose and mouth during their donation.
If you are making a power red donation, you're encouraged to bring your own blanket. This will help the Red Cross, who are now laundering blankets after every use.
Eligibility
Most healthy individuals age 17 or older can donate. As a COVID-19 precautionary measure, the Red Cross asks everyone to wait to donate until 14 days after:
- Being diagnosed with COVID-19
- Experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19
Some people may be ineligible to donate due to medical conditions, medications, travel, or other factors. The Red Cross website has detailed information on eligibility. If you have questions regarding your eligibility to donate blood, please call 1-866-236-3276.
