On Tuesday, Oct. 21, the historic Paramount Hudson Valley Theater in downtown Peekskill will open its doors for a community blood drive organized by the American Red Cross, the Peekskill Rotary Club, and the First Masonic District of Westchester-Putnam. The event will run from 1:15 p.m. to 5 p.m. This is the second time the venue joins the initiative—back in April 2024, the Paramount hosted a similar drive to support the Westchester County blood bank.
Those interested in participating can schedule an appointment at RedCrossBlood.org or through the Blood Donor App, using sponsor code Peekskill and zip code 10566. Walk-ins will also be accepted as space allows. Organizers recommend completing the health questionnaire in advance to speed up the process and reduce wait times.
According to the official eligibility guidelines of the American Red Cross, there are two types of blood donations: whole blood donation, in which about a pint of blood is collected in a process that lasts roughly one hour; and Power Red donation, which collects only red cells while returning most of the plasma and platelets to the donor. The Power Red procedure is available only for donors with blood types A Negative, B Negative, or O, who also meet specific health and weight requirements.
During Tuesday’s event, all participants must comply with Red Cross requirements to ensure donor and recipient safety. Donors must be at least 17 years old (or 16 with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in good general health. At least eight weeks must have passed since their last whole blood donation. Individuals showing signs of fever or infection should not donate. Before the process begins, donors undergo a brief medical screening and a quick hemoglobin test to confirm healthy iron levels.
Power Red donors must meet additional criteria. Men must be at least 5 feet 1 inch tall and weigh 130 pounds, while women must be at least 5 feet 5 inches tall and weigh 150 pounds. In both cases, the Red Cross requires at least 16 weeks between Power Red donations.
Organizers encourage participants to arrive well-hydrated, eat beforehand, and bring a photo ID. The Red Cross also advises against strenuous exercise before and after donating. Blood donations help sustain hospital and medical center reserves, supporting patients undergoing surgeries, cancer treatments, and emergency care.
To encourage participation, organizers will offer $10 electronic gift cards to donors who register and complete their donation. Such incentives have become common in Hudson Valley blood drives as a way to thank the community for its contributions. In past editions, participants also received T-shirts and refreshments.
This year’s goal is to surpass the number of units collected in 2024 and help replenish the blood supplies that support dozens of hospitals across the region. The Red Cross reported that between July 2024 and June 2025, severe weather conditions led to the cancellation of more than 40,000 donation appointments nationwide, directly affecting blood availability in hospital banks. Peekskill aims to help reverse that trend through this community-driven effort.
For organizers, every pint counts. “A single donation can save up to three lives,” the Red Cross reminds in its public statements. For more information, visit RedCrossBlood.org or contact the Paramount Hudson Valley Theater at 914-739-0039.
