Red Cross: Blood or platelet donation appointments needed now

The American Red Cross encourages donors to donate blood or platelets now to help address a decrease in donor participation this fall. All blood types and platelet donors are asked to schedule a donation appointment at a Red Cross blood donation center or community blood drive to ensure hospitals have the resources they need to care for patients before the holidays.

To say thank you, all who come to give Oct. 27-Nov. 16, 2025, will get $20 in e-gift cards to a choice of merchants, plus automatic entry for a chance to win one of three $5,000 prizes. See RedCrossBlood.org/Harvest. 

Don’t wait – Schedule a time to give blood or platelets by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS, or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month. Understanding our own health is the foundation for helping prevent chronic illness and saving lives. Blood and platelet donations can be a part of that journey. To help empower and educate our blood donors, in November, donors who successfully donate blood will receive free A1C testing, which is commonly used to screen for prediabetes and diabetes.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities, Nov. 1 through 16, are Tuesday, November 4th, at the Knox Community Center, 55 East Lake Street, from 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., and on Thursday, November 13th, from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Columbus Club at 901 East Jefferson Street.

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.