American Red Cross asks for blood donors

In October, the American Red Cross asks people to book a time to give blood or platelets to help keep the blood supply as strong as possible this fall. The seasons may change, but the need for blood is constant, a news release says. Donors of all blood types are being called on to roll up a sleeve and give hope to hospital patients who rely on transfusions.

While October can be a "shoulder season" between severe summer and winter weather, it is often unpredictable. When the blood supply is stable, blood products can be moved wherever and whenever they are needed — even in the face of natural disasters. A single appointment could help provide hope and healing for patients in your community and across the country.

Don’t wait. Make an appointment today and keep it on the calendar. Visit here, call 1-800-RED CROSS or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App to schedule a donation appointment. Those who come to now through Oct. 18, will receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice. For more information, visit here.

All who come to give Oct. 19-Nov. 22 will get up to $20 in gift cards ─ that's a $10 Amazon Gift Card by email and 500 bonus points, which can be redeemed for a $10 e-gift card through Blood Donor Rewards. Visit here for more details.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Bureau County

• Ladd: Noon-5 p.m. Oct. 30, Ladd Community Center, 303 S. Central Ave.
• Ohio: 1-6 p.m. Oct. 27, OhioHigh School, 103 W. Memorial St.
• Princeton: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 13, Allegion-LCN, 1224 N. Main St., and 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Oct. 15, First United Methodist Church, 316 S. Church St.

Carroll County

• Chadwick: Noon-5 p.m. Oct. 29, Chadwick Fire Department, 210 Calvert St., Route 40.
• Mt. Carroll: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 16, Mount Carroll Davis Community Center, 631 S. East St.

Cass County

• Beardstown: 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p .m. Oct. 27, Beardstown High School, 500 E. 15th St.

Henry County

• Geneseo: Noon-6 p.m. Oct. 27, Kingswood Church South Campus Building, 224 N. State St.
• Galesburg: 1-6 p.m. Oct. 28, Knox Agri Center, 180 S. Soangetaha Road.

Mercer

• Aledo: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 20, Mercer County YMCA, 401 SW 2nd Ave.

Putnam County

• McNabb: 1-6 p.m. Oct. 12, McNabb Fire Dept., 391 N. Route 89.

Rock Island County

Moline: 1-6 p.m. Oct. 28, American Red Cross of Quad Cities & Northwest Illinois, 1100 River Drive.

Warren County

• Monmouth: 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 20, American Legion, 1110 N. 11th St.

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