By VINCE ROBINSON
American Red Cross

The American Red Cross seeks eligible donors to give blood in honor of World Blood Donor Day, Sunday, June 14, and throughout the summer to help ensure a sufficient blood supply for patients in need.

Summer is an especially difficult time to collect enough blood to meet the needs of hospital patients. Many schools that host blood drives are out of session during the summer, and regular donors are often vacationing, potentially making them less available to give.

World Blood Donor Day highlights the constant need for donors during the summer and throughout the year. Supermodel Niki Taylor, the celebrity spokesperson for World Blood Donor Day, fully understands the importance of blood donations. In 2001, she was in a near-fatal car accident and received about 100 pints of blood. To this day, she attributes her survival to the blood donors and doctors who helped save her life.

Those who come to donate blood with the Red Cross Monday, June 8 through Sunday, June 14, will receive a limited-edition Nexcare give bandage in one of eight global-inspired designs in honor of World Blood Donor Day.

Every day this summer is a chance to give hope. Eligible donors are encouraged to choose their day to make a difference. Donors of all blood types, especially those with types O negative, A negative and B negative – are needed. To make an appointment to give blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Upcoming blood donation opportunities

Elkhart County

• 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday, June 1, First Baptist Church, 1011 S. Indiana Ave., Goshen.
• 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Friday, June 12, Indiana Fallen Officer Blood Drive, 301 W. Lincoln St., Nappanee
• 1:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 15, Northside Baptist Church, 53198 CR 9, Elkhart.
• Noon until 6 p.m. Monday, June 15, First Mennonite Church, 203 E. Lawrence, Middlebury.

Kosciusko County

• Noon until 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 3, Etna Green United Methodist Church, 131 W. Broadway, Etna Green.
• 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Friday, June 5, Kosciusko Community Hospital, 2101 E. Dubois, Warsaw.
• 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Friday, June 5, Warsaw Courthouse, 121 N. Lake St., Warsaw.
• 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday, June 6, Lowe’s, 2495 Jalynn St., Warsaw.
• Noon until 6 p.m. Tuesday, Indiana Fallen Officer Blood Drive, Center Lake Pavilion, 117 Canal St., Warsaw.

LaGrange County

• 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 2, KZ-RV, 0985 N. 900 N., Shipshewana
• 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 9 Indiana Fallen Officer Blood Drive, LaGrange First Church of God, 777 N. Detroit St., LaGrange.
• 8 a.m. until noon, Saturday, June 13, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 10275 E. 550 S., Stroh.

Marshall County

• 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 10, Ancilla College, 9601 S. Union, Donaldson.
• 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. Thursday, June 11, Southwire, 515 Copperfield Way, Bremen.

St Joseph County

• 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 9, South Bend Fire Department, 1222 S. Michigan St., South Bend.
• 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. Thursday, June 11, New Carlisle Public Library, 408 S. Bray St., New Carlisle.

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 (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.