South Lake Tahoe area blood drives making it easy to donate

There are a few opportunities to donate blood in the South Lake Tahoe and Stateline area over the next two months.

Friday, May 14: Vitalent will be in the South Lake Tahoe community blood drive on Friday, May 14 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the South Lake Tahoe Parks & Recreation Gym, 1180 Rufus Allen Blvd. Donors will receive a $5 Amazon gift card which is redeemable via email.

There is no deferral if you’ve received a COVID-19 vaccine. Vitalant will be testing all donations for COVID-19 antibodies.

To comply with social distancing practices donors are encouraged to please make an appointment. Walk-ins will be accommodated if space allows.

Please schedule an appointment for the South Lake Tahoe donation drive from noon to 5:00 p.m. call Vitalant at 866-822-5663 or go to Click here for an appointment or go to donors.vitalant.org and use blood drive code SMFM062.

Friday, May 14: Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District is also holding a blood drive on Friday, May 14. It will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Kahle Community Center, 236 Kingsbury Grade. To make an appointment, call 775.785-6644 or visit HERE and use Sponsor Code Tahoe Fire.

Friday, May 21: Donate blood at the Hard Rock Hotel Convention Center from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on May 21. Make an appointment HERE.

Monday, May 24: The South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue is hosting a blood drive from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on May 24 at their Training Center located at 1195 Rufus Allen Blvd. To schedule an appointment, call Vitalant at 866-822-5663 or visit HERE.

Friday, June 18: The South Tahoe Association of Realtors is hosting a blood drive on June 18 from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at its office located at 2307 James Avenue, South Lake Tahoe. Appointments may be made online or by calling 866-985-0598

Power Red Donations: The most common blood components transfused to patients are red cells. When you give a Power Red donation (also called double red cell), you double the impact of your donation because you are giving two units of red cells. Click here to learn more about donating Power Reds.

To find other blood drives, visit https://www.bloodhero.com/index.cfm?group=op.

To prepare for your donation:

- A mask or face covering is required.
- For eligibility questions call Vitalant at 866-822-5663 or go to https://www.vitalant.org/Basic-requirements (COVID-19 eligibility information is listed on the website).
- If you’ve received a COVID-19 vaccine there is no deferral for blood donation as long as you can identify which vaccine you’ve received.
- Please bring a photo I.D.
- Eat a hearty iron-rich meal two hours before donation.
- Drink plenty of water prior to donation (two to three 8 ounce bottles of water two hours before donating and drink plenty of water the day before donation).
16 year old’s must have a signed Vitalant parent consent form which can be found at - Click here for parent consent form

Know that the time you give to donate helps save a life!