COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa — The American Red Cross is urging you to join their lifesaving mission by giving blood or platelets this March, in celebration of Red Cross Month. Donors of all blood types, especially type O, are urgently needed to help ensure blood is available for patients this spring. Make an appointment now by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

Upcoming area blood donation opportunities March 1st through the 15th:

Cass County:  Atlantic, 3/12/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Atlantic YMCA, 1100 Maple Street; Griswold: 3/6/2020: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Griswold High School, 20 Madison

Mills County: Glenwood, 3/10/2020: 6:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Glenwood High School, 504 East Sharp Street

Page County: Clarinda, 3/10/2020: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Regional Health Center, 220 Essie Davison Drive

Pottawattamie County:

Council Bluffs –

• 3/2/2020: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Iowa Western Community College, 2700 College Road
• 3/2/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Green Hills Area Education Agency, 24997 IA-92
• 3/5/2020: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Abraham Lincoln High School, 1205 Bonham
• 3/12/2020: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Amelia Place Assisted Living, 57 W Ferndale Dr.

Oakland – 3/3/2020: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Oakland Riverside High School, 18997 Hwy 59

Union County: Creston, 3/11/2020: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Creston High School, 601 W. Townline

How to donate blood:

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 in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), 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 and platelet donors can 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, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.