Give blood with the Red Cross during National Volunteer Month

MANCHESTER — With no substitute for blood and no way to manufacture it, volunteer donors are essential for hospital patients in need of transfusions. During National Volunteer Month this April, the American Red Cross is celebrating the blood, platelet and plasma donors who help fulfill its lifesaving mission and urging healthy individuals to join them in giving.

As a special thank-you, those who come to give by April 30 will automatically be entered for a chance to win one of five $1,000 e-gift cards to a merchant of choice. Additional details are available at rcblood.org/Gift.

Blood drive safety

Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions — including temperature checks, social distancing and face masks for donors and staff — have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities April 16-30

BELKNAP

Belmont

April 28: noon- 5 p.m., St. Joseph Church, 96 Main Street

Laconia

April 18: 1-5:30 p.m., Leavitt Park House, 334 Elm St.

Meredith

April 29: 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Meredith Office Complex, 8 Maple St., Suite 5

Tilton

April 17: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Tanger Outlet Center, 120 Laconia Road

April 28: 1-6 p.m., Tanger Outlet Center, 120 Laconia Road

CARROLL

Moultonborough

April 30: noon-5 p.m., Moultonborough Lions Club, 139 Old Route 109A

Wolfeboro

April 30: 12:30-5 p.m., The Wolfeboro Inn, 90 N Main Street

GRAFTON

Bristol

April 21: 12:30-5 p.m., Marian Center, 17 West Shore Rd.

Holderness

April 20: 12:30-5 p.m., Holderness Masonic Lodge, 1 US Route 3

Plymouth

April 29: noon-5 p.m., Common Man Inn, 231 Main Street

HILLSBOROUGH

Loudon

April 29: 2-7 p.m., Arthur Colby Safety Building, 8 Cooper Street

About blood donation

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit  RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device 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 in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), 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.