An American Red Cross blood drive is from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church, 505 Community Drive, Seymour.

Blood and platelet donors are needed to ensure blood is available for medical treatments and emergencies during the holidays.

Donations often decline during the holidays when many groups postpone blood drives, while regular donors are busy with holiday activities and travel. Severe winter weather also may cause blood drive cancellations.

Make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).

Another way to help keep the blood supply strong is to serve as a host for a Red Cross blood drive. To learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/hostadrive.