Blood donations needed during National Wellness Month

Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at 10:00 PM

By Kathy Bottorff

During National Wellness Month, the American Red Cross encourages individuals to prioritize their health and well-being while contributing to life-saving efforts through blood or platelet donations. Donors of all blood types—particularly those with type O positive or B negative blood—are called to schedule an appointment now to avoid a further decline in donor turnout.

In August, the Red Cross will offer free A1C screening – a test commonly used to detect prediabetes and diabetes – for all donors who successfully donate blood, platelets, or plasma. Fasting is not necessary for this test, and donors can view their confidential results one to two weeks after donating via the Blood Donor App or their donor account at RedCrossBlood.org. Each donor can receive one A1C test result within 12 months.

August also brings changes to routines. While back-to-school plans, the start of fall sports, and final summer vacations may be top of mind now, patients cannot wait. Making and maintaining donation appointments can be critical in a patient’s treatment journey.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities in Marshall County during August are in Plymouth on Wednesday, August 20^th, at the Plymouth Public Library at 201 North Center Street from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., and on Friday, August 29th, during the Blueberry Festival in Centennial Park at 1660 North Michigan Street from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Help save lives and boost your health! Schedule a donation now by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS, or using the Red Cross Blood Donor App. Those who donate from August 1 to 28, 2025, will receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice. For details on both offers, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Test.