As the region faces a surge in Covid-19 hospitalizations and a pending tropical storm, SunCoast Blood Centers asks the community to come in and donate blood and platelets to help ease the local and national blood crisis. In the last 24 hours, three local hospitals used an unprecedented amount of blood products. SunCoast Blood Centers serves hospitals and healthcare facilities throughout Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota counties, as well as the Moffitt Cancer Center. 

SunCoast donor centers will remain open Friday, August 13, 7 a.m.-4 pm, and Saturday, August 14, 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Donors age 16 and over can schedule an appointment to give blood at any center location or bloodmobile by clicking here or calling (866)-97-BLOOD. Walk-ins are also welcomed.