OMAHA, Neb. (Oct. 24, 2016) – The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give blood to help stock the shelves before the busy holiday season. Many regular donors delay giving between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day because of holiday activities. This often causes a drop in donated blood available for patients. Therefore, more donations are needed in the weeks leading up to the holidays to help ensure the blood supply is sufficient through the winter months.

To make an appointment to give blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donors are encouraged to make appointments and complete the RapidPass online health history questionnaire at redcrossblood.org/rapidpass to save time when donating.

Some Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Adair County: Orient – 11/2/2016: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Orient-Macksburg High School, 201 School Street.

Cass County: Griswold – 11/1/2016: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Griswold High School, 20 Madison Street.

Montgomery County: Red Oak -11/2/2016: 8 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Red Oak High School Auditorium, 2011 N 8th St.

Pottawattamie County: Oakland – 11/4/2016: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Oakland Riverside High School, 18997 Hwy 59

Shelby County: Elk Horn – 11/9/2016: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Exira EHK Schools, 4114 Madison; Harlan – 11/10/2016: 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Conductix, 1417 Industrial Parkway…11/15/2016: 7:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Harlan High School, 2102 Durant Street…11/15/2016: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Veteran’s Memorial Building, 1104 Morningview; Westphalia – 11/10/2016: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Boniface Parish Center, 305 Duren St.

A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.