With no substitute for blood and no way to manufacture it, volunteer donors are essential for hospital patients in need of transfusions. During National Volunteer Month this April, the American Red Cross is celebrating the blood, platelet and plasma donors who help fulfill its mission and urging healthy individuals to join them in giving.
Nearly 2.6 million Red Cross volunteer donors step up every year to ensure blood is on the shelves when patients need it.
The Red Cross continues to urge healthy individuals, especially those with type O blood, to give blood to ensure hospitals can meet patient needs. Schedule a donation appointment by downloading the 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.
As a special thank-you, those who come to give by April 30 will be entered for a chance to win one of five $1,000 e-gift cards to a merchant of choice.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities April 16-30:
April 21 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Knob Noster High School, 504 S. Washington in Knob Noster.
April 28 from 2 to 6 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 141 E. Gay St. in Warrensburg.
