The American Red Cross wants to remind the public that winter weather in February can be unpredictable and cause blood drive cancellations and troubles with donors safely attending appointments.

Due to the seasonal challenges, the Red Cross encourages donors to make and attend appointments to avert a future blood shortage.

Donors who give blood during February will receive a $10 Amazon gift card via email. They will also be entered for a chance to win a two-person trip to Clearwater Beach, Florida.

To schedule an appointment to donate, click here, download the Red Cross app or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

FLATHEAD

Bigfork

• 2/7/2023: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Bethany Lutheran Church, 8559 Highway 35

Kalispell

• 2/9/2023: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Moose Lodge, 2158 Highway 2 E.

Lakeside

• 2/14/2023: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Lakeside QRU Community Hall, 201 Bills Road

Whitefish

• 2/3/2023: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Olney-Bissell School, 5955 Farm to Market Road
• 2/10/2023: 10 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Park Side Credit Union, 1300 Baker Ave.

Saint Ignatius

• 2/7/2023: 12 p.m. - 6:15 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Main and Highway 93

MINERAL

Superior

• 2/9/2023: 12 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Superior High School Multi Purpose Room, 410 Arizona

MISSOULA

Missoula

• 2/8/2023: 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., The James E. Todd Center, The University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive
• 2/13/2023: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Southgate Mall, 2901 Brooks

RAVALLI

Hamilton

• 2/3/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Bitterroot Health-Daly Hospital, 1200 Westwood Drive
• 2/6/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Marcus Daly Hospital, 1200 Westwood Drive
• 2/14/2023: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Grace Lutheran Church, 275 Hattie Lane

SANDERS

Plains

• 2/8/2023: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Clark Fork Valley Hospital, 10 Kruger Road

GALLATIN

• Bozeman
• 2/3/2023: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Ressler Motors, 8476 Huffine Lane
• 2/7/2023: 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Sigma Chi, 722 S. Willson Ave.
• 2/8/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., In Honor of Sergeant Lynessa VanKirk at American Red Cross Blood Donor Center, 221 E. Oak St.
• 2/8/2023: 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., Billings Clinic Bozeman, 3905 Wellness Way
• 2/14/2023: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Bozeman Community Drive at American Red Cross Bozeman Blood Donor Center, 221 E. Oak St., Suites 1G and 1F

Three Forks

• 2/9/2023: 12 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., United Methodist Church, 124 2nd Ave. E.

PARK

Livingston

• 2/10/2023: 12:30 p.m. - 5 p.m., Fairfield By Marriott Livingston Yellowstone, 1629 W. Park St.

The American Red Cross released the following information:

Spring is close, but February often brings unpredictable winter weather that can cause blood drive cancellations and make it difficult for donors to make it to their appointments safely. As the American Red Cross continues to monitor seasonal challenges that could impact the blood supply, donors are urged to make and keep appointments to help prevent a shortage in the weeks to come. Donors of all blood types – particularly type O blood donors, the most needed blood group by hospitals – are needed daily to meet demand.

In thanks for helping keep hospital shelves stocked, all who come to give in February will get a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email, thanks to Amazon. Those who come to donate this month will also automatically be entered to win a trip for two to Clearwater Beach, Florida. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/heart.

Protect the blood supply from dropping – book a time to give blood by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. 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.

Amplify your impact − volunteer!

Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross is to become a volunteer blood donor ambassador at Red Cross blood drives. Blood donor ambassadors help greet, check-in and thank blood donors to ensure they have a positive donation experience.

Volunteers can also serve as transportation specialists, playing a vital role in ensuring lifesaving blood products are delivered to nearby hospitals. For more information and to apply for either position, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.