American Red Cross urges Marshall County residents to schedule blood donations this May

The American Red Cross is calling on community members to schedule their blood donation appointments now, as the organization works to keep the blood supply ahead of building seasonal pressures this spring and summer.

May is a critical month for blood donations, as the end of the school year and early summer plans often disrupt donors' schedules and lead to a drop in appointment bookings. The Red Cross is asking donors of all blood types to lock in a time to give before those busy weeks arrive. By donating in May, donors also have the opportunity to return over the summer to further maximize their impact.

To sweeten the deal, the Red Cross is offering special incentives for May donors. Those who give between May 1st and May 17th will receive a $20 Amazon Gift Card by email, courtesy of Amazon. Donors who give between May 18th and May 31st will receive an oversized Red Cross beach towel, while supplies last. For full details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Amazon.

Several upcoming blood donation opportunities are available in Marshall County throughout the month:

• Wednesday, May 13th — 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Plymouth Fire Department, 111 N. Center St., Plymouth
• Wednesday, May 20th — 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Cabinetworks Group, 515 W. Mill St., Culver
• Thursday, May 21st — 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Plymouth Columbus Club, 901 East Jefferson St., Plymouth
• Wednesday, May 27th — 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at St. Isidore Hall, 803 W. Bike St., Bremen

To schedule an appointment, residents can visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App. Just one hour of time could make a life-changing difference for patients in the weeks ahead.