Red Cross and actor James Van Der Beek urge Americans to give blood and make it a summer full of life

MANCHESTER — The American Red Cross along with actor James Van Der Beek and his wife, Kimberly, have joined together to urge all who are healthy to make this a summer full of life for patients by scheduling an appointment to give blood or platelets.

The Van Der Beek family knows firsthand how important blood donations are in a health crisis. In the past year, Kimberly Van Der Beek experienced back-to-back pregnancy losses. Each time she needed emergency hospital care and blood transfusions to save her life.

“Donating blood is something that I’ve always done throughout my life,” said James Van Der Beek. “It seemed important. But I never knew how important until the woman I love most was in a situation where that much blood made the difference between life and death. It just brought it home in a very real way.”

Individuals of all blood types are urged to schedule an appointment now to give blood, and in most cases, those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine can donate. However, knowing the name of the manufacturer of the vaccine they received is important in determining donation eligibility. Appointments can be made by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

In thanks for making it a summer full of life, those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma in May will automatically be entered for a chance to win a travel trailer camper that sleeps five*, powered by Suburban Propane, via their SuburbanCares initiative. The Red Cross is also thanking those who come to donate May 28-June 13 with a limited-edition T-shirt, while supplies last.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities May 16-June 13

Belknap

Alton

June 3: 11:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., Saint Katharine Drexel Church, 40 Hidden Springs Road

Belmont

May 18: 1 - 6 p.m., St. Joseph Church, 96 Main Street

May 25: 1 - 6 p.m., St. Joseph Church, 96 Main Street

Laconia

May 27: 12:30 - 5 p.m., Leavitt Park House, 334 Elm St.

June10: 1 - 6 p.m., Leavitt Park House, 334 Elm St.

Meredith

June 4: noon - 6 p.m., St. Charles Borromeo Church, 300 Route 25

Tilton

May 26: 1 - 6 p.m., Tanger Outlet Center, 120 Laconia Road

June 11: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Tanger Outlet Center, 120 Laconia Road

June 5: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Tanger Outlet Center, 120 Laconia Road

Carroll

Moultonborough

May 28: 12:30  - 5 p.m., Moultonborough Lions Club, 139 Old Route 109A

Wolfeboro

May 24: noon - 5 p.m., The Wolfeboro Inn, 90 N Main Street

June 10: 12:30 - 6 p.m., The Wolfeboro Inn, 90 N Main Street

Grafton

Bristol

May 18: 12:30 - 5 p.m., Marian Center, 17 West Shore Rd.

June 8: noon - 5 p.m., Marian Center, 17 West Shore Rd.

Holderness

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

Plymouth

May 24: noon - 6 p.m., Common Man Inn, 231 Main Street

June 2: noon - 5 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 354 Fairgrounds Rd

* Restrictions apply. Winner must provide tow vehicle with the appropriate tow capacity for use with the prize vehicle at all times, i.e., such as a full-sized truck or SUV, in order to take delivery of the prize (2021 Coachmen Clipper Cadet 21CBH, estimated at 5,000 pounds). Additional information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/SummerFullOfLife.