Officials with the American Red Cross are once again putting out a plea for donations of blood and blood platelets. Anna Sanderson, Donor Recruitment Director with the Midwest Blood Services Region, says while thousands of people from across the country responded to the emergency request for blood and platelet donations issued by the American Red Cross in early July, a critical blood shortage remains. The Red Cross urges eligible donors to give now to help ensure blood is available throughout the rest of the summer to meet patient needs.

At times, blood and platelets are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in, which impacts the ability to rebuild the blood supply. Right now, the Red Cross has less than a five-day blood supply on hand. The Red Cross strives to have a five-day supply at all times to meet the needs of patients every day and be prepared for emergencies that may require significant volumes of donated blood products.

Sanderson says “The Red Cross continues to have an emergency need for blood and platelet donors to give now and help save patient lives. We are grateful for those who have already stepped up this summer to give and want to remind those who are eligible that hospital patients are still counting on them to roll up a sleeve.”

Blood and platelets are needed for many different reasons. Accident and burn victims, heart surgery patients, organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease may all need blood. Donors of all blood types are urgently needed to help restock the shelves. The Red Cross is thanking those who come in to donate blood or platelets between July 25th and Aug. 31st by emailing them a $5 Amazon.com gift card claim code.

To schedule an appointment to donate, use the free Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire are encouraged to help reduce wait times.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities July 25-Aug. 15 include:

Audubon: 8/10/2016: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Patrick’s Parish Center, 2050 Hwy 71 N

Griswold: 8/11/2016: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Central Church of Christ, 1008 First St.

Manning: 7/29/2016: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Sacred Heart Church, 203 Sue St.

Denison: 8/2/2016: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., United Methodist Church, 113 South 14th St.

Manilla: 8/1/2016: 12:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 537 3rd Ave.

Hamburg: 8/12/2016: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Grape Community Hospital, 2959 US Hwy 275

Logan: 7/28/2016: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Community Center, 108 West 4th St.

Missouri Valley: 8/4/2016: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Rand Community/Senior Center, 100 S. 4th St

Glenwood: 7/27/2016: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Glenwood High School, 504 East Sharp St.; 8/15/2016: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 512 2nd St.

Malvern: 8/10/2016: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., East Mills High School, 1505 E. 15th St.

Red Oak: 7/25/2016: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1101 East Summit

Stanton: 7/29/2016: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Stanton Firestation, 205 Broad Ave.

Council Bluffs: 7/25/2016: 12:30 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., Loess Hills Chapter Donation Center, 705 North 16 Street; 7/26/2016: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Loess Hills Chapter Donation Center, 705 North 16 Street; 8/1/2016: 12:30 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., Loess Hills Chapter Donation Center, 705 North 16 Street; 8/2/2016: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Loess Hills Chapter Donation Center, 705 North 16 Street; 8/7/2016: 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Queen of Apostles Campus, 3304 3rd Avenue; 8/7/2016: 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Community of Christ, 140 Kanesville Blvd; 8/8/2016: 12:30 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., Loess Hills Chapter Donation Center, 705 North 16 Street; 8/9/2016: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Loess Hills Chapter Donation Center, 705 North 16 Street; 8/10/2016: 7:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Pottawattamie County Courthouse, 227 S. 6th St.; 8/12/2016: 6 a.m. – 12 p.m., Mid-America Center, One Arena Way; 8/12/2016: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Mid-America Center, One Arena Way; 8/15/2016: 12:30 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., Loess Hills Chapter Donation Center, 705 North 16 Street.

Crescent: 8/13/2016: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., Fire Station, 102 West Florence

Shelby: 8/13/2016: 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Shelby Community Building, 500 East St.

Walnut: 7/28/2016: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 406 Antique City Dr.

Earling: 7/25/2016: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Joseph’s Hall, 118 Main St.

Harlan: 7/28/2016: 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Conductix, 1417 Industrial Parkway; 8/2/2016: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., CDS, 3107 Shelby St.; 8/2/2016: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., CDS, 3107 Shelby St.

Bedford: 8/2/2016: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., American Legion Hall, 301 Main St.

Lenox: 7/26/2016: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., American Legion Hall, 106 W. Ohio