The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to make a point to give blood before the busy holiday season arrives.

Blood donations often decline between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day as people become busy with holiday festivities. Donors are needed in the weeks leading up to the winter holidays to help prevent these seasonal declines.

Donors of all blood types, and especially those with types O negative, A negative and B negative, are needed now to help maintain a stable blood supply.

Blood donation appointments can be made through the Red Cross Blood Donor App – a faster, more convenient way to schedule and manage donation appointments, especially for donors on the go. The app also allows users to track donation histories, earn rewards and invite others to join them on a lifesaving team. The app is free and available for download in app stores.

Donors may also visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to learn more about the donation process and to make an appointment.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Elkhart County
3 p.m. – 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 405 W Beardsley in Elkhart.

8 a.m. – 12 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, Harrison Christian School, 64784 C.R. 11 in Goshen.

1 p.m. – 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, Asera Care Hospice, 700 E Beardsley Avenue, Suite 2B in Elkhart.

2 p.m. – 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, Benton Mennonite Church, 15350 County Road 44 in Goshen.

12 p.m. – 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, Clinton Frame Mennonite Church, 63846 CR 35 in Goshen.

9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, IU Health Goshen Hospital, 200 W. High Park Ave. in Goshen.

Kosciusko County
9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, Martin’s Supermarket, 1150 Husky Trail in Warsaw.

1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4, Community Animal Hospital, 3800 N SR 15 in Warsaw.

9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, Par-Kan, 2915 W 900 S in Silver Lake.

12 p.m. – 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, Calvary United Methodist Church, 801 S Huntington in Syracuse.

8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10, Center Lake Pavilion, 117 Canal St. in Warsaw.

Marshall County
Wednesday, Nov. 5 from 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Argos Elementary School, 600 Yearick Ave. in Argos.

Sunday, Nov. 9 from 12:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Culver Academies Fleet Gymnasium, 1300 Academy Rd. in Culver.

Thursday, Nov. 13 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Ancilla College, 9601 S Union in Donaldson.

St Joseph County
3 p.m. – 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, Jewish Federation of St. Joe Valley, 3202 Shalom Way in South Bend.

2:15 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3, LaVille Elementary School, 12645 Tyler Road in Lakerville.

1 p.m. – 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, Lincoln Township Community Building, 3098 S. 800 East (Fish Lake) in Walkerton.

The Goshen Donor Center, located at 1123 S. Indiana Ave. in Goshen:
Noon – 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
Closed Thursday
7 a.m. – 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.