Red Cross seeks blood donors during National Volunteer Month

During National Volunteer Month in April, the American Red Cross asks donors to help protect the blood supply by making and keeping blood or platelet donation appointments in the weeks ahead. Donors of all blood types − especially type O blood donors and those giving platelets − are needed to keep the blood supply strong enough to support critical patient care this spring.

The Red Cross depends on thousands of volunteer blood donors to collect about 12,000 blood donations every day. With no substitute for blood and no way to manufacture it, volunteer donors are essential in transfusion care. Blood drives and donation centers also depend on the generosity and valuable time of those who make it possible for the Red Cross to help people in need.

Here are the upcoming blood drives scheduled for Marion County:

• Friday: 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., The Alber Red Cross Center, 1849 Summerset Drive, Marion
• April 20: 8:30 a.m. 2 p.m., The Alber Red Cross Center, 1849 Summerset Drive, Marion
• April 20: 8 a.m.-1 p.m., St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 135 W. Main St., Waldo
• April 29: 12 p.m.-6 p.m., The Alber Red Cross Center, 1849 Summerset Drive, Marion
• April 30: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., OhioHealth Marion General Hospital, 1000 McKinley Park Drive, Marion
• April 30: 12 p.m.-6 p.m., The Alber Red Cross Center, 1849 Summerset Drive, Marion

Book a time to give visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App. Those who come to give April 8-28 will receive a $10 e-gift card to a merchant of choice, plus be entered to win a $7,000 gift card. There will be two lucky winners.