Make the world brighter for patients by giving blood or platelets with the Red Cross

As the busy Fourth of July holiday week approaches, the American Red Cross encourages donors to celebrate by scheduling a blood or platelet donation to sustain the blood supply through mid-summer. While all blood types are needed, donors with type O blood are in the highest demand.

Scheduling and maintaining donation appointments now is essential to ensure blood products are available for all patients – including those in trauma situations who may require multiple lifesaving transfusions – in the coming weeks. Type O negative blood is often used in emergencies when there isn’t time to match a patient’s blood type. Since type O positive is the most common blood type, it’s crucial to keep type O blood and all other blood types available at hospitals for individuals facing both chronic illnesses and sudden, life-threatening conditions.

Don’t wait – schedule a blood or platelet donation today by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED-CROSS, or using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.  

Everyone who donates from July 1-14 will receive an exclusive pair of Red Cross x Goodr sunglasses, while supplies last. Donors can personalize their unique shades with a blood type sticker.

Alternatively, those who donate by June 30 will receive a $15 Amazon.com gift card by email and will be automatically entered to win one of two $7,000 gift cards.

See RedCrossBlood.org/June.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities in Marshall County are:

6/26 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., at the Plymouth Fire Department, 111 N. Center St.

6/30 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Miller's Senior Living, 625 Oakhill Ave

7/3 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., at the Matchett Center, in Bourbon at 805 N. Harris Street

7/7 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., at the Plymouth Community Church, 11802 Lincoln Highway, east of Plymouth, and

7/9 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., at the Knights of Columbus, 901 E. Jefferson Street in Plymouth.