The American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood donations to prevent another blood shortage as hospitals resume surgical procedures and patient treatments that were temporarily paused earlier this spring in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Healthy individuals who are feeling well are asked to make an appointment to donate in the weeks and months ahead 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.

All those who come to give through May 31 will receive a special Red Cross T-shirt by mail, while supplies last. And thanks to Amazon, all those who come to give June 1-30 will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email.*

It’s important to remember that red blood cells must be transfused within 42 days of donation and platelets within just five days. So, they must constantly be replenished. There is no known end date in this fight against coronavirus, and the Red Cross urgently needs the help of donors and blood drive hosts to ensure blood products are readily available for patients.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Wells

6/1/2020: 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., American Legion, 145 W. Franklin

6/1/2020: 2:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., American Legion, 145 W. Franklin

Winnebago

6/2/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Community Center, 140 Main St.

Fairmont

6/2/2020: 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Holiday Inn, 1201 Torgerson Drive

6/3/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Holiday Inn, 1201 Torgerson Drive

6/4/2020: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Holiday Inn, 1201 Torgerson Drive

Sherburn

6/8/2020: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Assembly of God Regional Worship Center, 2 Crossroad Drive

Amboy

6/8/2020: 1:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Presbyterian Church, 240 North St. E.

Bricelyn

6/9/2020: 1:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Community Center, 309 N. Main St.

Blood drive safety precautions

Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff – have been implemented to ensure the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control.