The American Red Cross plans to conduct several blood drives in the area this month.

The first will be from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Feb. 19 at First Baptist Church, 505 Community Drive in Seymour.

Other blood drives are planned from 2 to 6 p.m. Feb. 24 at First United Methodist Church, 240 Poplar St., North Vernon; from 2 to 7 p.m. Feb. 16 at Knights of Columbus, 1460 N. Gardner St., Scottsburg; and from 9:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Feb. 28 at the Scottsburg Army Reserve Building at 601 W. Armory Place.

With seasonal widespread flu and inclement weather preventing many regular donors from giving, the Red Cross is asking healthy, eligible donors to make an appointment to donate blood in the coming days and weeks.

All blood types are needed, especially those with type O negative, A negative or B negative. Type O negative is the universal blood type and can be transfused to patients with any blood type. Types A and B negative can be transfused to Rh positive or negative patients.

To learn about donating blood and to schedule an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-2767.