Alameda County Blood Drives This Month: Red Cross

Bea Karnes
·2 min read

ALAMEDA COUNTY, CA — Back in 2005, Leslie Johnson was in a farming accident here in California that left her with broken bones and massive bleeding. In the first 24 hours after the accident, she received 10 units of blood and platelets. More transfusions and surgeries followed, according to the Red Cross.

Johnson’s daughter, Emily, hosted a blood drive at her high school last semester to pay forward her mom’s gift. “If blood had not been available when she needed it, she might not be here today," said Emily. "I might not have had my mom growing up. It’s my honor to be able to promote blood donation and help pay it forward to others in need.”

The American Red Cross typically has a tough time with donations during the winter months because of bad weather and seasonal illnesses. But the pandemic adds another challenge in keeping the blood supply strong.

The Red Cross is urging healthy people to make an appointment to give blood or platelets this month. As a thank you gift, donors will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email, courtesy of Amazon.

Donors will find out within two weeks if their blood tests positive for COVID-19 antibodies.

Schedule an appointment

Make your appointment to give blood, platelets, or plasma with the Red Cross by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.


Donation drives in Alameda County

Berkeley:
2/23/2021: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Berkeley -The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints Bldg, 1501 Walnut St.

Castro Valley:
2/10/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Castro Valley Church of the Nazarene, 19230 Lake Chabot Road
2/12/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Castro Valley, 3900 Seven Hills Rd

Livermore:
2/19/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Asbury United Methodist Church, 4743 East Ave.

Newark:
Daily, Fremont - Newark Blood Donation Center, 39227 Cedar Boulevard

Oakland:
Daily, Oakland Blood Donation Center, 6230 Claremont Ave.

Pleasanton:
Almost daily, Pleasanton Blood Donation Center, 5880 W. Las Positas Boulevard, Suite 34

San Leandro:
2/23/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., GATE 510, 1933 Davis St.
2/27/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., GATE 510, 1933 Davis St.

This article originally appeared on the Alameda Patch