Keep the blood supply blooming: Give blood now

This April, the American Red Cross urges individuals to give lifesaving blood as seasonal travel ramps up. The impact of busy spring calendars comes on the heels of an incredibly challenging winter, during which tens of thousands of blood products went uncollected due to weather. With upcoming holiday celebrations and record-breaking spring break travel expected, donors of all blood types are needed, especially those with type O blood and those giving platelets.

Blood has a shelf life of only 42 days. Since there is no substitute or way to manufacture it, volunteer donors are essential to patient care. Spring plans can disrupt normal giving patterns, but blood needs are constant.

Help hope bloom this spring by booking a time to give blood now by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS, or using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities in Marshall, Starke and Fulton Counties from April 1-16 are:

On Wednesday, April 2^nd, the Red Cross will be in Plymouth and Bremen from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. They will collect blood at St. Isidore Hall, 803 West Bike Street in Bremen, and the Knights of Columbus, 901 East Jefferson Street in Plymouth.

On Thursday, April 3^rd, at the Argos United Methodist Church, 540 North Michigan Street, from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

On Tuesday, April 8th, the Red Cross will be in Rochester from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at St. Joseph Parish Hall, 1310 Main Street.

A bloodmobile will be held in Culver on April 10^th at the Culver High School, 701 School Street, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  

On Monday, April 14^th, they will be back in Bremen at the American Legion, 1750 West Plymouth Street, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and finally, on April 15th, at the Knox Community Center, 55 East Lake Street, from 12:30 to 6 p.m.

All who come to give in April will be automatically entered for a chance to win a $5,000 gift card. There will be three lucky winners. Additionally, those who come to give April 1-13, 2025, will receive a $15 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. All who come to give later in the month, April 14-30, 2025, will receive an exclusive Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last. See RedCrossBlood.org/Hope for details on all three offers.