Help save lives with the Red Cross by giving blood or platelets

Free A1C testing on successful donations in August

√ $15 e-gift card for coming to give Aug. 1-28

Submitted by the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross calls on donors to give blood or platelets now to maintain a steady national blood supply. Type O blood donors are especially key to keeping critical blood products on hospital shelves into August.

 Even a strong blood supply can experience a sudden drop − potentially impacting the availability of lifesaving blood and platelets that could help new mothers, burn and trauma patients, and those facing cancer. Help safeguard patient care by booking a time to give blood or platelets. Visit www.RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or use the Red Cross blood donor app.

In thanks, those who come to give by July 31 will receive a Fandango Movie Reward by email. For details, visit www.RedCrossBlood.org/July.

 Those who come to give Aug. 1-28 will receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. Plus, the Red Cross will perform free A1C testing, commonly used to screen for prediabetes and diabetes, on successful donations (one test result per 12-month period). Visit www.RedCrossBlood.org/Test for more information.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities

Erie County

•Akron

July 31: 1:30-6 p.m., American Legion LL Tillman Post 900, 9 Eckerson Ave.

•Amherst

July 26: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Amherst Center for Senior Services, 370 John James Audubon Parkway

•Buffalo

July 24: 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., Veterans Affairs Hospital, 3495 Bailey Ave.

July 24: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Travelers Insurance, 60 Lakefront Blvd.

July 30: 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Mercy Hospital, 565 Abbott Road

Aug. 2: 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Kenilworth Fire Dept. Co. No. 1, 84 Hawthorne Ave.

Aug. 6: 12:30-5:30 p.m., Kenilworth Fire Dept. Co. No. 1, 84 Hawthorne Ave.

Aug. 13: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., WNY Red Cross Chapter, 786 Delaware Ave.

Aug. 20: 12:30-5:30 p.m., Kenilworth Fire Dept. Co. No. 1, 84 Hawthorne Ave.

Aug. 22: noon to 5 p.m., WNY Red Cross Chapter, 786 Delaware Ave.

•Clarence

Aug. 12: 1-6 p.m., Clarence Public Library, 3 Town Place

•East Aurora

Aug. 5: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., East Aurora Moose Lodge 370, 905 Main St.

•Hamburg

July 26: 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., All Saints Lutheran Church, 6065 S. Park Ave.

Aug. 6: 1-6 p.m., VFW Post 1419 – Hamburg, 2985 Lakeview Road

Aug. 7: 12:30-5:30 p.m., Revive Wesleyan, 4999 McKinley Parkway

• Irving

July 28: 1:30-5:30 p.m., SNI Cattaraugus Community Building, 12767 NY-438

•Lackawanna

July 29: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., VFW Post 898, 2909 S. Park Ave.

•Orchard Park

July 31: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Nativity of Our Lord Roman Catholic Church, 26 Thorn Ave.

Aug. 15: 1-6 p.m., St. Bernadette’s Roman Catholic Church, 5930 S. Abbott Road

•Springville

Aug. 20: 1-6 p.m., Concord Senior Center, 40 Commerce Drive

•West Seneca

Aug. 19: 1-6 p.m., Union Fire Co., 1845 Union Road

•Williamsville

Aug. 5: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Eastern Hills Wesleyan Church, 8445 Greiner Road

Aug. 9: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., St. Gregory the Great, 100 St. Gregory Court

Niagara County

•Lewiston

Aug. 6: 1:30-6:30 p.m., Lewiston Fire Co. No. 1, 145 N. Sixth St.

•Lockport

July 28: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., South Lockport Fire Co. Inc, 5666 Transit Road

Aug. 12: noon to 6 p.m., The Dale Association Inc., 33 Ontario St.

Aug. 20: 1-6 p.m., South Lockport Fire Co. Inc., 5666 Transit Road

•Newfane

Aug. 18: 12:30-6 p.m., Newfane Town Hall Community Center, 2737 Main St.

•Niagara Falls

Aug. 16: 8 a.m. to noon, St. John de LaSalle, 8477 Buffalo Ave.

•Wilson

Aug. 11: 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wilson First Baptist Church, 265 Pettit St.

•Youngstown

July 29: 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Youngstown Firehall, 625 Third St.

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross blood donor app, visit www.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 www.RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the blood donor app.

Amplify your impact − volunteer!

Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross is to become a volunteer blood donor ambassador at Red Cross blood drives. Blood donor ambassadors help greet, check in and thank blood donors to ensure they have a positive donation experience.

Volunteers can also serve as transportation specialists, playing a vital role in ensuring lifesaving blood products are delivered to nearby hospitals. For more information and to apply for either position, contact or visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.

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 www.CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow on social media.