With Veterans Day coming up on Nov. 11th, officials with the American Red Cross are encouraging eligible donors to schedule an appointment to give blood, in honor of those who have served the country in the U.S. armed forces. Blood donated through the Red Cross is distributed to about 2,700 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country for patients in need, including patients at many U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers. All blood types are currently needed, especially O negative, A negative and B negative.

Officials say another way to support veterans, military families and active-duty service members at hospitals and installations around the world is by sending a holiday card through the annual Holiday Mail for Heroes program. Between now and early December, the Red Cross will collect the cards and distribute them. Learn more at redcross.org.

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 (16 with parental consent in some states), 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 transfusions help save lives every day. Appointments to roll up a sleeve and donate can be made today by visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Audubon County: Nov. 6 from 12-6 p.m. at Exira Recreational Center, 106 N. Jefferson in Exira.

Carroll County: Nov. 11 from 1:30-6:30 p.m. at Templeton Community Fire & EMS, 117 S. Main St. in Templeton.

Cass County: Nov. 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Griswold High School, 20 Madison in Griswold.;  Nov. 14 from 12-6 p.m. at Atlantic Catholic Parish Center, 105 W. Fifth St. in Atlantic.

Fremont County: Nov. 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Fremont Mills High School, 27 Jackson Blvd. in Tabor.; Nov. 6 from 12-6 p.m. at Nishnabotna High School, 907 Hartford Ave. in Farragut.

Harrison County: Nov. 15 from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Alegent Health Community Memorial Hospital, 631 N. Eighth St. in Missouri Valley.

Mills County: Nov. 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at East Mills High School, 1501 E. 15th St. in Malvern; Nov. 11 from 12-6 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 512 Second St. in Glenwood.

Montgomery County: Nov. 13 from 12-6 p.m. at Community Center, 201 S. Third Ave. in Villisca.

Page County: Nov. 5 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Shenandoah High School, 1000 Mustang Drive in Shenandoah; Nov. 8 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Shenandoah Medical Center, 300 Pershing Ave. in Shenandoah; Nov. 11 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Iowa Western Community College, 923 E. Washington in Clarinda.

Pottawattamie County: Nov. 4 from 12:30-6:15 p.m. at American Red Cross Loess Hills Chapter, 705 N. 16th St. in Council Bluffs; Nov. 5 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at American Red Cross Loess Hills Chapter, 705 N. 16th St. in Council Bluffs; Nov. 6 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Oakland Riverside High School, 501 Oakland Ave. in Oakland; Nov. 8 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Abraham Lincoln High School, 1205 Bonham in Council Bluffs; Nov. 11 from 12:30-6:15 p.m. at American Red Cross Loess Hills Chapter, 705 N. 16th St. in Council Bluffs; Nov. 12 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at American Red Cross Loess Hills Chapter, 705 N. 16th St. in Council Bluffs; Nov. 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Kanesville Alternative Learning Center, 807 Ave. G in Council Bluffs.

Ringgold County: Nov. 12 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at First Christian Church, 201 W. Monroe in Mount Ayr.

Shelby County: Nov. 7 from 12-6 p.m. at St. Boniface Parish Center, 305 Duren St. in Westphalia; Nov. 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Veteran’s Memorial Building, 1104 Morningview in Harlan.