Red Cross: Take steps now to support a strong blood supply

The American Red Cross encourages donors to schedule appointments now to give blood or platelets, supporting patients who rely on a steady blood supply for survival and healing. While emergencies often attract attention, the constant need for blood remains. This is especially true in October, as donation appointments tend to decline quickly when people settle into busy fall routines and plan around upcoming school breaks.

Additionally, the threat of hurricanes persists this month. Since blood has a short shelf life and can only come from volunteer donors, any disruption in its collection can have serious consequences for those needing medical care.

Get ready now—help patients this fall by scheduling an appointment to donate blood or platelets at RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS, or using the Red Cross Blood Donor App. All donors from September 22 to October 19 will receive a $10 Amazon gift card via email. Donors between October 20 and November 16, 2025, will get a $10 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice and will be automatically entered to win one of three $5,000 gift cards.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Oct. 16-31 include Tuesday, October 21^st in Starke County at the Knox Community Center, 55 East Lake Street from 12:30 to 6 p.m., in Marshall County on Saturday, October 25^th at the Moose Lodge 1225 West Jefferson Street in Plymouth from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and in Fulton County on Friday, October 31^st at the Talma Community Building 6853 IN-25 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.