Residents across the Mohawk Valley have several chances to give blood over the next two weeks. The American Red Cross is asking donors of all blood types to make appointments this fall, and its Sept. 22 release lists collection sites in Herkimer, Oneida and Madison counties.
The need for blood does not end when summer ends. The Red Cross says a steady stream of appointments helps patients get care and helps the blood supply stay ready for emergencies. It urges people who can donate to schedule a visit instead of waiting for a shortage notice.
Nearby dates and locations
In Herkimer, a blood drive is listed for Wednesday, Sept. 23, from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Frank J. Basloe Library, 245 North Main St. The same location is listed for Oct. 5 from 1 to 6 p.m. Little Falls has a drive Oct. 5 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 2 W. Gansevoort St. Mohawk’s American Legion Post 25, 43 W. Main St., is listed for Oct. 6 from 12:30 to 5 p.m.
In Oneida County, the release lists a Sept. 25 drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Oriskany Junior Senior High School, 1312 Utica St. Rome has a Sept. 25 drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Zion Episcopal Church, 140 W. Liberty St., and an Oct. 2 drive from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Rome Health, 1500 N. James St.
Other listed stops include Waterville Village Hall on Sept. 26, Sauquoit Valley High School on Sept. 30 and a Town of Augusta site in Oriskany Falls on Sept. 23. Madison County options include Cazenovia on Sept. 24, Munnsville on Sept. 25 and Oneida on Oct. 2. Times and appointment availability can change, so check the Red Cross schedule before leaving home.
How to make an appointment
Donors can search by ZIP code and book through RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS or use the Blood Donor App. The organization asks donors to bring a blood donor card, driver’s license or two other forms of identification to check in. It says people generally must meet age, weight and health requirements, with additional rules for some younger donors.
The Red Cross also offers RapidPass to complete pre-donation reading and health-history questions online on the donation day. That does not replace the in-person check-in or health screening. First-time donors can use the official site to learn what to expect and to review eligibility rather than assume they qualify based on age alone.
Fall donor offer
People who come to give from Sept. 21 through Oct. 18, 2026, are eligible for a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice, subject to the Red Cross offer terms. The official fall offer page says instructions are emailed to the address on the donor’s profile about 30 days after the donation attempt. The offer is not cash and has limits; donors should read the posted terms.
A separate limited-quantity pickleball paddle and ball offer applies only at Red Cross donation centers from Sept. 21 to 30 when donors mention “pickleball” to staff. A community blood drive is not necessarily a donation center, so do not assume that item will be available at every site listed here.
The dates above come from the Red Cross release issued Sept. 22. The most useful next step is to check the live appointment search for the site you want. A full slot, a revised time or an eligibility question can affect plans. Giving at a nearby site is one practical way Mohawk Valley residents can support patients without traveling far from home.
