Give blood or platelets - and give patients time this holiday season

Amazon gift card or new long-sleeve tee for coming to give in December

American Red Cross Press Release

Time is critical for patients this December. The American Red Cross urges donors to make an appointment to give blood or platelets now to keep the blood supply steady over the busy holiday season. Types O positive, O negative and B negative blood donors are especially needed now and in the coming weeks.

December is National Month of Giving, and your Red Cross blood or platelet donation can bring hope and healing. Create a new holiday tradition and help spread comfort and support lifesaving care. When the unexpected happens, it’s the blood products already on the shelves that matter.

Redefine the meaning of a gift bag: Give something that means something and schedule a blood or platelet donation appointment by using the Red Cross blood donor app, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

For a limited time, those who come to give Dec. 8-18, 2025, will receive a $15 Amazon gift card by email. Those who come to give Dec. 19 through Jan. 4, 2026, will receive an exclusive Red Cross long-sleeved T-shirt, while supplies last. For details on December offers, see RedCrossBlood.org/Gifts. If you’re unable to give, consider making a financial donation to support our lifesaving mission at redcross.org.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities include:

Erie County

•Alden

Dec. 30: noon to 5 p.m., Alden Presbyterian Church, 13298 Broadway

•Amherst

Dec. 16: 1-6 p.m., Amherst Center for Senior Services, 370 John James Audubon Parkway

•Buffalo

Dec. 10: noon to 6 p.m., WNY Chapter, 786 Delaware Ave.

Dec. 20: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., McKinley Mall, 3701 McKinley Parkway

Dec. 23: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Kenilworth Fire Department Co, No. 1, 84 Hawthorne Ave.

Dec. 31: 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., Mercy Hospital, 565 Abbott Road

•Clarence

Dec. 18: 1-6 p.m., Clarence Public Library, 3 Town Place

•East Aurora

Dec. 23: noon to 5 p.m., Hampton Inn – East Aurora, 49 Olean St.

•Elma

Dec. 31: 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., Faith Lutheran Church, 1230 Bowen Road

•Hamburg

Dec. 10: 1-6 p.m., Lake Shore Public Library, 4857 Lake Shore Road

Dec. 26: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Hamburg Public Library, 102 Buffalo St.

•Kenmore

Dec. 26: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Kenmore Mercy Hospital, 2950 Elmwood Ave.

•Lancaster

Dec. 11: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Lancaster Community, Lancaster PAC building, 12 W. Main St.

•Orchard Park

Dec. 19: 1-6 p.m., St. Bernadettes Roman Catholic Church, 5930 S. Abbott Road

•Springville

Dec. 17: 1-6 p.m., Concord Senior Center, 40 Commerce Drive

•Tonawanda

Dec. 24: 8 a.m. to noon, Church of the Nativity, 1530 Colvin Blvd.

•West Seneca

Dec. 16: 1-6 p.m., Union Fire Co., 1845 Union Road

Niagara County

•Lewiston

Dec. 10: 1:30-6:30 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 505 Cayuga St.

•Lockport

Dec. 17: 1-6 p.m., South Lockport Fire Co. firehall, 5666 Transit Road

Dec. 26: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., The Dale Association Inc., 33 Ontario St.

•Newfane

Dec. 22: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Newfane Town Hall Community Center, 2737 Main St.

•Niagara Falls

Dec. 20: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Grace Lutheran Church,736 Cayuga Drive

•North Tonawanda

Dec. 23: 1-6 p.m., Adams Fire Co. No. 1, 7113 Nash Road

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.

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.