Community organizations across Indianapolis are hosting hundreds of blood drives in December, a month when donations typically drop.
“People have a lot going on during the holidays and don’t prioritize it,” said Chelsea Johnson, an account representative for the nonprofit Versiti Blood Center of Indiana. “But the need for blood never takes a vacation.”
Versiti organizes blood drives with Indianapolis hospitals, churches, schools and businesses. One pint of blood can save up to three lives – making a difference for trauma victims, surgery and cancer patients, premature babies and people with anemia. If you’re interested in hosting a blood drive, click here.
Here are the requirements to donate:
- Must be 17 or older (or 16 with parental permission).
- Must weigh at least 110 pounds.
- Can only donate blood every eight weeks.
- Must bring documents that confirm your identity and date of birth, such as a driver’s license or passport.
- If you are pregnant, have tested positive for HIV or are at risk for infections that can be transmitted by blood, you are not eligible to donate. Taking certain medications, including blood thinners, may also affect your eligibility.
- For a full list of requirements, click here.
Donor eligibility expanded this year after the Food and Drug Administration reversed a long-term policy that banned men with male sexual partners from donating blood.
Now everyone, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, is asked about new or multiple sexual partners from the past three months before they can give blood. People who have engaged in anal sex with new or multiple partners in the past three months are deferred from donating because of the increased risk of spreading infections like HIV.
Donating takes about an hour. A technician will check your blood pressure, pulse, heart rate, temperature and hemoglobin levels to make sure it’s safe for you to donate. The needle will be in your arm for about five minutes. You’ll be observed for about 15 minutes after the donation.
Appointments are preferred. If you donate at a Versiti blood drive between Dec. 22 and Jan. 1, you will receive a $15 gift card for national retailers such as Amazon or Starbucks.
Dec. 7
Community Hospital Shadeland Station
7351 Shadeland Station Way, Indianapolis, 46256
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Ascension St. Vincent Women’s Hospital
8111 Township Line Road, Indianapolis, 46260
9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
4000 Michigan Road, Indianapolis, 46208
12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Dec. 8
Franciscan Health Indianapolis
8111 S. Emerson Ave., Indianapolis, 46237
6:30 to 11 a.m.
Dec. 9
Christ the King Catholic Church
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
5884 Crittenden Ave., Indianapolis, 46220
Indianapolis Second Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Church
821 Denison St., Indianapolis, 46241
9 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Dec. 10
Christ the King Catholic Church
5884 Crittenden Ave., Indianapolis, 46220
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
5353 McFarland Road, Indianapolis, 46227
8:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
Dec. 13
Community Heart and Vascular Hospital
8075 N. Shadeland Ave., Indianapolis, 46250
8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
2405 Madison Ave., Indianapolis, 46225
10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
705 Riley Hospital Drive, Indianapolis, 46202
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Dec. 15
Bleed Blue – The Indianapolis Colts
Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 S. Capitol Ave., Indianapolis, 46225
8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Dec. 19
Crownhill Funeral Home and Cemetery
700 38th St., Indianapolis, 46208
1:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Dec. 20
720 Eskenazi Ave., Indianapolis, 46202
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
1500 N. Ritter Ave., Indianapolis, 46219
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
1402 E. County Line Road, Indianapolis, 46227
3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Dec. 28
7150 Clearvista Drive, Indianapolis, 46256
9 a.m. to 1p.m.
Mirror Indy reporter Mary Claire Molloy covers health. Reach her at maryclaire.molloy@mirrorindy.org. Follow her on X @mcmolloy7.
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