By VINCE ROBINSON
American Red Cross

The American Red Cross urges eligible donors to give blood in the weeks surrounding Independence Day to help ensure a sufficient blood supply now and throughout the summer.

Many summer activities, such as vacations and travel, cause frequent blood donors to be less available to give during the summer. However, hospital patients still depend on volunteer donors to receive lifesaving transfusions – the need for blood does not get a vacation.

To encourage more people to donate around Independence Day, all those who come out to donate blood July 2-6, will receive a Red Cross embroidered hat, while supplies last.

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 (800) 733-2767.

Upcoming Blood Donation Opportunities

Elkhart County

10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 1, Crowe Horwath LLP, 307 S. Main St., Elkhart.
10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Saturday, July 11, Army National Guard, 2313 S. Oakland Ave., Elkhart.
8 a.m. until noon Saturday, July 11, Yellow Creek Mennonite Church, 64901 CR 11, Goshen.
2 p.m. until 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 411 W. Vistula St., Bristol.
1 p.m. until 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, Pleasant View Mennonite Church, 58529 CR 23, Goshen.

Kosciusko County

3 p.m. until 7 p.m. Thursday, July 2, Martin’s Supermarket, 1150 Husky Trail, Warsaw.
9:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Sunday, July 12, National Guard Armory, 315 W. 350 N., Warsaw.
8 a.m. until 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 14, Center lake Pavilion, 117 Canal St., Warsaw.

LaGrange County

Noon until 6 p.m. Monday, July 6, LaGrange First United Methodist Church, 209 W. Spring St., LaGrange.
Noon until 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 7, Parkview LaGrange Hospital, 207 N. Townline Road, LaGrange.

Marshall County

Noon until 5:30 p.m. Thursday, July 2, Argos United Methodist Church, 540 N. Michigan St., Argos.
11:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 8, Bremen High School, 511 W. Grant St., Bremen.
Noon until 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, Culver-Union Township Public Library, 107 N. Main St., Culver.

St. JosephCounty

1 p.m. until 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 1, Lincoln Township Community Building, 3098 S. 800 E., Walkerton.
2:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 8, Granger Missionary Church, 50841 Birch Road, Granger.
10 a.m .until 3 p.m. Saturday, July 11, U.S. Army Reserve Center, 766th Transport Battalion, 3401 Boland Drive, South Bend.
11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, University of Notre Dame Joyce Center, Notre Dame University, Notre Dame.

The Goshen Donor Center

Located at 1123 S. Indiana Ave., Goshen. 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.