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

Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at 11:00 PM

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.