The Red Cross has scheduled special blood drives (list below) across Georgia – including in the four in Hall County before the end of the month – as it struggles to overcome a blood shortage resulting from recent events including snowstorms, bitter cold, and those California wildfires. All of this resulted in canceled blood drives leading to a depleted supply.
People of all blood types – but especially those with type O negative blood – are being asked to make and keep their donation appointments so hospitals can continue to ensure critical care for patients this winter.
Since the beginning of the year, officials said Monday, hundreds of blood drives have been canceled and more than 16,000 blood and platelet donations have gone uncollected due to severe winter weather and wildfires. As February continues, so does the potential for additional weather systems to disrupt blood drives. Flu and other seasonal illnesses are spreading, which could also force more people to cancel scheduled donation appointments.
As a thank-you, all who come to give Jan. 27-Feb. 28, 2025, will get a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. See RedCrossBlood.org/Flurry for details.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities in the immediate Gainesville area Feb. 16-28:
Barrow
Winder
2/26/2025: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Foothills Charter High School, 985 Austin Rd
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Gwinnett
Buford
2/17/2025: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Hamilton Mill Church, 2000 Gravel Springs Road
Suwanee
2/19/2025: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 4833 Suwanee Dam Rd
2/20/2025: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., City of Suwanee, 330 Town Center Ave
2/22/2025: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Gwinnett County Public Library – Suwanee Branch, 361 Main St
2/27/2025: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Richland Community Clubhouse, 2074 Quinton Place
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Habersham
Clarkesville
2/28/2025: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Grace Calvary Episcopal Church, 295 E Green St.
Demorest
2/26/2025: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Piedmont University, 375 Georgia St
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Hall
Flowery Branch
2/20/2025: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Church of Jesus Christ LDS, 4735 Cash Rd
Gainesville
2/21/2025: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Gainesville Civic Center, 830 Green Street NE
2/26/2025: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Gainesville, 1234 Riverside Drive
2/27/2025: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Gainesville Civic Center, 830 Green Street NE
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Jackson
Braselton
2/24/2025: 2:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Braselton Police and Municipal Court Building, 5040 Hwy 53
2/25/2025: 2:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Free Chapel – Braselton, 2001 Cherry Dr
2/26/2025: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., NGMC – Braselton, 1400 River Place
Hoschton
2/18/2025: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., The Meeting House, 5615 Grand Reunion Drive
2/22/2025: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Hoschton City Hall, 65 City Square St
Jefferson
2/24/2025: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., American Legion Post 56, 309 Lee St
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Lumpkin
Dahlonega
2/19/2025: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Lumpkin County Parks and Recreation, 365 Riley Road
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White
Cleveland
2/20/2025: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., First Baptist Church, 25 Church Street
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.