Keep spring blood supply strong: Give blood or platelets now with Red Cross

Gift cards by email for those who come to give into mid-May

American Red Cross press release

The American Red Cross urges donors to give blood or platelets now to help hospitals and transfusion centers stay prepared to help all patients. Donors of all blood types and those looking to give for the first time are encouraged to book an appointment in the coming days or weeks ahead.

In addition to the return of outdoor activities and warmer weather, spring vacations can interrupt blood donation patterns. When plans shift away from normal routines, even small disruptions can lead to a quick drop in available blood products.

Spread kindness this spring. Book a time to give blood or platelets now by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross blood donor app.

Those who come to give through April 30 will receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice. See RedCrossBlood.org/Hope for details.

All who come to give May 1-17 will receive a $20 Amazon gift card by email, thanks to our partners at Amazon. See RedCrossBlood.org/Amazon for details.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities include:

Erie County

•Alden

May 11: noon to 5 p.m., Alden Presbyterian Church, 13298 Broadway

•Amherst

April 24: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., University at Buffalo Alumni Arena, 80 Coventry Road

•Buffalo

April 30: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Buffalo State University – Campbell Student Union, 1300 Elmwood Ave.

May 6: noon to 5:30 p.m., Kenilworth Fire Department Co. No. 1, 84 Hawthorne Ave.

May 7: 2-7 p.m., Buffalo Academy of Science, 24 Agassiz Circle

May 13: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., WNY Chapter, 786 Delaware Ave.

May 15: 8 a.m. until 2 p.m., Mollenberg Betz, 300 Scott St.

•East Aurora

May 14: noon to 5 p.m., East Aurora Moose Lodge 370, 905 Main St.

•Elma

April 23: 1-6 p.m., Faith Lutheran Church, 1230 Bowen Road

•Hamburg

April 24: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Hamburg Public Library, 102 Buffalo St.

•Holland

May 8: 12:30-5 p.m., St. Joseph R.C. Church, 46 N. Main St.

•Kenmore

April 29: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Kenmore Mercy Hospital, 2950 Elmwood Ave.

•Marilla

May 9: 8 a.m. to noon, Marilla Community Center, 1810 Two Rod Road

•Snyder

April 28: noon to 5 p.m., The Park School Rich Activity Center, 4625 Harlem Road

•Tonawanda

May 2: 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Church of the Nativity, 1530 Colvin Blvd.

•West Falls

May 6: 1-6 p.m., St Paul’s Lutheran Church, 53 West Falls Road

•West Seneca

May 13: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Ebenezer United Church of Christ, 630 Main St.

Niagara County

•Lewiston

May 8: 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., Lewiston Fire Co. No.1, 145 N. Sixth St.

•Lockport

May 4: noon to 5 p.m., South Lockport Fire Co., 5666 S. Transit Road

May 12: 1-6 p.m., The Dale Association Inc., 33 Ontario St.

•Newfane

April 27: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Newfane Town Hall Community Center, 2737 Main St.

•Niagara Falls

April 25: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Grace Lutheran Church, 736 Cayuga Drive

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross blood donor app, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the blood donor skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the blood donor app.

More about the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow on social media.