Red Cross: Keep the blood supply blooming; give blood or platelets now

This April, the American Red Cross urges individuals to give lifesaving blood or platelets now as seasonal travel ramps up. The impact of busy spring calendars comes on the heels of an incredibly challenging winter, during which tens of thousands of blood products went uncollected due to weather. With upcoming holiday celebrations and record-breaking spring break travel expected in the coming weeks, donors of all blood types are needed, especially those with type O blood and those giving platelets.

Blood has a shelf life of only 42 days. With no substitute for blood and no way to manufacture it, volunteer donors are essential to patient care. Spring plans can disrupt normal giving patterns, but the need for blood is constant.

Help hope bloom this spring – book a time to give blood or platelets now by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

All who come to give in April will be automatically entered for a chance to win a $5,000 gift card. There will be three lucky winers. Additionally, those who come to give April 1-13 will receive a $15 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. All who come to give later in the month, April 14-30, will receive an exclusive Red Cross t-shirt, while supplies last. See RedCrossBlood.org/Hope for details on all three offers.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Neillsville: April 28, 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., American Legion Post 73, 6 Boon Blvd.

Thorp: April 29, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Thorp Fire and Ambulance District Station, 101 S. Wilson St.