OMAHA, Neb. (Oct. 15, 2014) — The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to make a point to give blood before the busy holiday season arrives. Blood donations often decline between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day as people become busy with holiday festivities. Donors are needed in the weeks leading up to the winter holidays to help prevent these seasonal declines. Donors of all blood types, and especially those with types O negative, A negative and B negative, are needed now to help maintain a stable blood supply.

Blood donation appointments can be made through the Red Cross Blood Donor App – a faster, more convenient way to schedule and manage donation appointments, especially for donors on the go. The app also allows users to track donation histories, earn rewards and invite others to join them on a lifesaving team. The app is free and available for download in app stores.

Donors may also visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to learn more about the donation process and to make an appointment.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Audubon County

Exira
Nov. 3: noon to 6 p.m., Exira Recreational Center, 106 N. Jefferson
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Cass County

Griswold
Nov. 4: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Griswold High School, 20 Madison
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Fremont County

Farragut
Nov. 12: noon to 6 p.m., Nishnabotna High School, 907 Hartford Ave.

Tabor
Nov. 3: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Fremont Mills High School, 27 Jackson Blvd.

Mills County

Glenwood
Nov. 3: noon to 6 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 512 2nd St.

Malvern
Nov. 14: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., East Mills High School, 1501 E. 15th St.

Page County

Clarinda
Nov. 10: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Iowa Western Community College, 923 E. Washington

Shenandoah
Nov. 6: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Shenandoah High School, 1000 Mustang Drive

Pottawattamie County

Council Bluffs
Nov. 3: 12:30 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., Loess Hills Chapter Donation Center, 705 N. 16 St.
Nov. 4: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Loess Hills Chapter Donation Center, 705 N. 16 St.
Nov. 5: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Abraham Lincoln High School, 1205 Bonham
Nov. 10: 12:30 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., Loess Hills Chapter Donation Center, 705 N. 16 St.
Nov. 11: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Loess Hills Chapter Donation Center, 705 N. 16 St.
Nov. 15: 7 a.m. – 1 p.m., Village Inn – Council Bluffs, 2935 West Broadway

Oakland
Nov. 4: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Oakland Riverside High School, 501 Oakland Ave.

Shelby County

Elk Horn
Nov. 12: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Exira EHK Schools, 4114 Madison

Harlan
Nov. 5: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Veteran’s Memorial Building, 1104 Morningview

Westphalia
Nov. 13: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Boniface Parish Center, 305 Duren St.

How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) 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 (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.