Red Cross needs blood donations after shortfall

The American Red Cross is offering a $15 Amazon gift card by email to anyone who gives blood between Oct. 1 and Oct. 20. It needs blood donors of all types, especially type O.

Donations fell 25% in the last summer amid the busy travel season and back-to-school activities. The fall is typically a business season but the Red Ross saw a 40% drop in donations last year due to more people working at home, because company-sponsored blood drives are some of the most popular.

The blood is needed for live-saving transfusions at hospitals across the country, such as to take care of patients in the emergency room who suffered trauma.

“When blood supplies drop to critical levels, it makes hospitals and the patients they are treating vulnerable — especially if there is a major accident or emergency medical procedure that requires large quantities of blood during a disaster,” said Dr. Baia Lasky, medical director for the Red Cross. “A single car accident victim can use as much as 100 units of blood. By making and keeping donation appointments, donors can help keep hospital shelves stocked with blood products and ensure patients have access to the timely care they deserve.”

Here’s a look at upcoming donation opportunities:

• Oct. 1: 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 7132 Arizona Ave., Hammond

• Oct. 2: 12-5 p.m., Jean Shepherd Community Center, 3031 Mahoney Drive, Hammond

• Oct. 2: 12-5 p.m., Merrillville Blood Donation Center, 791 East 83rd Ave., Merrillville

• Oct. 3: 12:30-5:30 p.m., Highland Parks & Recreation Center, 2450 Lincoln St., Highland

• Oct. 3: 12-6 p.m., St. John’s United Church of Christ, 101 St. John Road, Michigan City

• Oct. 3: 12:30-6:30 p.m., Lakes of the Four Seasons, 1048 N Lakeshore Drive, Lakes of the Four Seasons

• Oct. 4: 1-6 p.m., Town of Chesterton, 726 Broadway, Chesterton

• Oct. 4: 12-5 p.m., Sacred Heart Church, 201 Bach St., LaPorte

• Oct. 4: 12:30-5:30 p.m., Knights of Columbus to Rensselaer, 325 E. Vine St., Rensselaer

• Oct. 5: 12:30-6:30 p.m., St. Matthias Church, 101 W Burrell Drive, Crown Point

• Oct. 7: 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Lowell Public Library, 1505 E. Commercial Avenue, Lowell

• Oct. 7: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., Merrillville Blood Donation Center, 791 E. 83rd Ave, Merrillville

• Oct. 8: 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Conservation Club House, 100 Mill Pond Road, Union Mills

• Oct. 9: 12-6 p.m., First Church of God, 2020 E. Lincolnway, LaPorte

• Oct. 9: 12-5 p.m., Merrillville Blood Donation Center, 791 East 83rd Ave., Merrillville

• Oct. 10: 12:30-6 p.m., Izaak Walton League, 1250 Crisman Road, Portage

• Oct. 10: 1-6 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 907 Michigan Ave., LaPorte

• Oct. 10: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 10, Belstra Mill,g Company, 308 15th St. SE, DeMotte

• Oct. 10: 1-5:30 p.m., St. John Kanty, 7012 North 600 East, Rolling Prairie

• Oct. 11: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., North Judson San Pierre Middle School, 1 Blue Jay Drive, North Judson

• Oct. 12: 1-6 p.m., Crown Point Community Library, 122 N. Main St., Crown Point

• Oct. 12: 12:30-6 p.m., St. John Township Community Center, 1515 Lincoln Highway, Schererville

• Oct. 15: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 218 South Court St., Crown Point

• Oct. 16: 12-5 p.m., Merrillville Blood Donation Center, 791 East 83rd Ave, Merrillville

• Oct. 17: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Neighbors’ Educational Opportunities, 5201 U.S. 6, Portage

• Oct. 18: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Rensselaer Central High School, 1106 E Grace St., Rensselaer

• Oct. 18: 12-6 p.m., North Township, 2215 Ridge Road, Highland

• Oct. 19: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mascot Hall of Fame, 1851 Front St., Whiting

• Oct. 19: 12-6 p.m., St. Paul Lutheran Church, 106 E. 1100 N, Chesterton

• Oct. 20: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, 7200 Mississippi St., Merrillville 

• Oct. 20: 12-5 p.m., First United Methodist Church of Portage, 2637 McCool Road, Portage

For more information or to sign up, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-733-2767.