By VINCE ROBINSON
American Red Cross

The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give blood this May in honor of World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day on May 8, the birthday of International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement founder, Henry Dunant.

World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day recognizes the local and global impact of the Red Cross mission. For more than 130 years, the American Red Cross has been helping people, including those in need of blood transfusions, in communities across the U.S. It is the only blood services organization that also provides disaster relief, services for active and veteran military personnel and their families, and health and safety training.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Elkhart County

• Noon until 6 p.m. Friday, May 1, Clinton Frame Mennonite Church, 63846 CR 35, Goshen.
• 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Monday, May 4, Cummins Onan, 5125 Beck Drive, Elkhart.
• Noon until 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, Bethany Christian School, 2904 S. Main St., Goshen.
• 8 a.m. until noon, Saturday, May 9, Yellow Creek Mennonite Church, 64901 CR 11, Goshen.

Kosciusko County

• 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, Center Lake Pavilion, 117 Canal St., Warsaw.
• 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. Friday, May 8, North Webster Community Center, 301 N. Main St., North Webster.
• 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 13, Wawasee Community Bible Church, 2305 E. CR 1300N, Milford.

LaGrange County

• 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. Friday, May 8, Blue Gate Garden Inn, 800 S. Van Buren St., Shipshewana.
• Noon until 6 p.m. Monday, May 11, LaGrange First United Methodist Church, 209 W. Spring St., LaGrange.

Marshall County

• 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, Argos High School, 500 Yearick Ave., Argos.
• 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 12, Culver High School, 701 School St., Culver.
• 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 13, Bremen High school, 511 W. Grant St., Bremen.

St. Joseph County

• Noon until 6 p.m. Sunday, May 3, Jewish Federation of St. Joe Valley, 3202 Shalom Way, South Bend.
• 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, Lincoln township Community Building, 3098 S. CR 800E, Walkerton.
• 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday, May 9, Church of the Savior Christian Reformed CHurch, 1855 Hickory Road, South Bend.

The Goshen Donor Center, located at 1123 S. Indiana Ave., in Goshen, is open noon to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

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.