Mohawk Valley November Blood Drives: Dates, Sites and Donor Guide

October 21, 2026

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Twenty-one donation opportunities are scheduled across Oneida, Herkimer and Madison counties from Nov. 2 through Nov. 14.

By Michelle LaGuerre

Mohawk Valley November blood drives will give residents 21 chances to donate blood in Utica, Rome, Herkimer, Oneida and other nearby communities during the first half of the month.

The American Red Cross says donors of every blood type are needed to help hospitals maintain a steady supply before the holiday season. Type O donors are especially needed, according to an Oct. 21 release from the organization’s Central and Northern New York region.

Appointments can be made through RedCrossBlood.org, the Red Cross Blood Donor App or 1-800-RED CROSS, which is 1-800-733-2767. Drive details can change, so donors should confirm the location and available appointment time before traveling.

Mohawk Valley November blood drives by county

Herkimer County

Dolgeville: Friday, Nov. 6, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., James A. Green High School, 38 Slawson Street Extension.
Herkimer: Thursday, Nov. 12, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Herkimer County Community College, McLaughlin College Center, 100 Reservoir Road.
Ilion: Wednesday, Nov. 11, 1 to 5 p.m., First Presbyterian Church of Ilion, 90 Morgan St.
Little Falls: Thursday, Nov. 5, 1 to 5 p.m., Holy Family Parish, 637 John St.
Old Forge: Friday, Nov. 13, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Town of Webb High School, 3022 Main St.

Madison County and the city of Oneida

Canastota: Tuesday, Nov. 10, 1:30 to 5:30 p.m., St. Agatha’s Church, 329 N. Peterboro St.
Cazenovia: Thursday, Nov. 5, 1 to 6 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 27 Albany St.
Chittenango: Thursday, Nov. 12, 1 to 6 p.m., Sullivan Free Library, 101 Falls Blvd.
DeRuyter: Friday, Nov. 6, noon to 5 p.m., DeRuyter High School, 711 Railroad St.
Hamilton: Wednesday, Nov. 4, 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., First Baptist Church, 27 Broad St.
Oneida: Tuesday, Nov. 3, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Oneida American Legion, 398 N. Main St.; and Friday, Nov. 13, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Oneida Health, 321 Genesee St.

Oneida County

Barneveld: Friday, Nov. 13, noon to 5 p.m., Town of Trenton Municipal Center, 8520 Old Poland Road.
Camden: Tuesday, Nov. 3, 1 to 6 p.m., St. John the Evangelist Church, 35 Third St.
Clinton: Saturday, Nov. 14, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Clinton United Methodist Church, 105 Utica Road.
New York Mills: Saturday, Nov. 7, 8 a.m. to noon, New York Mills Fire Department, 379 Main St.
Rome: Friday, Nov. 6, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., St. John’s Lutheran Church, 502 W. Chestnut St.; and Saturday, Nov. 14, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Uvanni Motors, 5829 Rome-Taberg Road.
Sherrill: Tuesday, Nov. 10, 12:30 to 5:30 p.m., American Legion Post 230, 168 E. Seneca St.
Utica: Monday, Nov. 2, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Annie P. Tilton Center, 1601 Armory Drive; and Thursday, Nov. 5, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Utica State Office Building, 207 Genesee St.

Mohawk Valley November blood drives conceptual donor check-in — AI-generated conceptual illustration for Utica Phoenix. It does not depict an actual event, organization or donor.

Gift-card offer and free A1C testing

People who present to donate between Oct. 19 and Nov. 22 can receive a $10 Amazon gift card by email and 500 bonus points through Blood Donor Rewards. The points can be redeemed for another $10 e-gift card, making the total potential value up to $20. Restrictions apply, and donors should review the current terms on the Red Cross website.

Successful blood, platelet and plasma donations made during November also qualify for free A1C testing. The Red Cross says the test is offered once per donor during the 2026 calendar year, and fasting is not required.

A1C reflects average blood glucose over roughly two to three months. It can be used to screen for prediabetes and diabetes, but a result should be discussed with a health professional rather than treated as a complete medical evaluation. The American Diabetes Association explains A1C results and testing.

Red Cross results are expected to appear in the donor app or online account within one to two weeks. Donors who do not want A1C testing are advised by the organization to schedule outside the November testing period.

What this means for Mohawk Valley residents

The schedule spreads donation opportunities across cities, villages, schools, churches, a fire department and a college campus. That gives residents options on weekdays and Saturdays, as well as morning and afternoon hours.

Blood cannot be stored indefinitely. Red cells, platelets and plasma also serve different medical needs. Regular appointments help hospitals plan for surgeries, cancer care, serious injuries, childbirth complications and other situations in which transfusions may be needed.

The new schedule follows Mohawk Valley drives held in late September and early October. People who donated recently should check their next eligible date before booking because required waiting periods vary by donation type.

Who may be eligible to donate

The Red Cross says whole-blood donors generally must be at least 17 years old, or 16 with parental consent where state rules allow, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good general health. Younger donors can face additional height and weight requirements.

Those are starting points, not a guarantee of eligibility. Travel, medications, pregnancy, recent illness, low hemoglobin, certain medical procedures and the timing of a previous donation can affect whether someone can give that day. The Red Cross maintains a current eligibility guide and encourages people with questions to contact its Donor and Client Support Center.

What to bring

Donors should bring a blood donor card or driver’s license. The organization also accepts two other forms of identification at check-in. Appointment confirmation and any information requested by the specific drive should also be available.

How to prepare

Eat a healthy meal and drink extra water before the appointment.
Wear clothing with sleeves that can be raised above the elbow.
Bring an accurate list of medications and be ready to answer health-history questions privately.
Allow time for registration, screening, donation and a short recovery period.
Follow staff instructions and speak up if you feel dizzy, unwell or concerned.

RapidPass can shorten the registration process by letting donors complete pre-donation reading and the health-history questionnaire online. It must be completed on the day of the appointment. Donors still go through required screening at the site.

Other ways to help

People who cannot donate may still volunteer. Blood donor ambassadors greet and check in donors, while transportation specialists help move blood products to hospitals. The Red Cross lists openings at RedCross.org/VolunteerToday.

Community question: Which local sites and appointment hours would make blood donation easier for you? Share general suggestions in the comments, but do not post private medical information.