Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center operates a community blood drive program that serves the needs of patients in Cumberland, Hoke, Harnett, and Bladen counties. By donating blood or platelets through the Blood Donor Center, volunteers have the opportunity to join our “Save Lives Locally” campaign. Blood donated to Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center stays in the local community, helping to save the lives of your community members.

Blood donation is important throughout the year, but it is especially critical over the summer due to shortages. High school students support their community with regular blood donations through our Partners for Lives program during the school year, but during the summer that collection at schools temporarily pauses.

Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center offers several ways to donate, and you can even earn credits for your blood! Our Blood Assurance Plan gives donors the chance to earn one blood credit per donation, which they can use themselves or transfer to a patient they choose. 

The blood credits can be used to replace blood or platelet unit charges for patients in Cape Fear Valley Health System. Many of our dedicated donors enjoy helping to save lives while earning blood credits in this program. Some even celebrate reaching the “gallon” mark of cumulative blood donations! 

Cape Fear Valley Blood Center also has an apheresis platelet collection program. Platelets help a range of patients, including cancer patients, burn victims, neonatal babies, and others. The platelet donation procedure takes approximately two hours, as blood is separated and plasma and red blood cells are returned to the donor. People with type AB blood are encouraged to consider donating platelets, as AB is the universal platelet donor.

Lastly, our Double Red Cell Program allows volunteer blood donors to donate double the amount of red blood cells with just one donation. This process takes an additional 10 minutes compared to regular blood donation, uses a smaller needle, and requires less of a time commitment. Those with type O and type B red blood cells, a high iron level, and a large blood volume are encouraged to double their impact by donating double red cells.

Donors can come to the Blood Donor Center to donate. The center is located at 3357 Village Drive, in the Bordeaux Shopping Center, and is open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the third Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center also operates mobile blood drives throughout the community. We visit a range of locations around the Fayetteville area, including every Monday at the farmer’s market located at 200 Highland Ave. For information about upcoming blood drives, please call (910) 615-LIFE (5433) or visit capefearvalley.com/blood/blood_drives.aspx.

To be eligible to give blood, donors must be at least 17 years of age, or 16 with signed parental consent; weigh at least 110 pounds; be in good health; and have proof of identification. Visit this link for more information on eligibility: capefearvalley.com/blood/blood_donor_eligibility.html

Blood is automatically replaced in a healthy donor. Donors can give blood every eight weeks and platelets every two weeks. Double red-cell donations can be made every 16 weeks.

Remember, with low blood supply in the summer, patients scheduled for non-urgent surgeries depend on adequate community blood donations. In addition to getting refreshments and a shirt, donors have the chance to take pride in helping their community and saving lives locally!

If you are a business or organization that would like to partner with the Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center, please reach out through the contact information found on our website: 

savingliveslocally.org