Give blood during National Volunteer Month

The American Red Cross has a critical shortage of type O blood and urges eligible donors to give now to help patients facing trauma and other life-threatening situations.

While just 7% of the U.S. population has type O negative blood, it can be transfused to patients with any blood type and is what hospital staff reach for during emergencies when there isn’t time to determine a patient’s blood type.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities include:

•8 a.m. to noon June 2: St. Paul Lutheran Church Borchers, 10792 N. County Road 210E, Seymour

•Noon to 4 to 6 p.m. June 6: The Peoples Bank, 100 N. Main St., Brownstown

•12:30 to 5:30 p.m. June 6: First Baptist Church, 505 Community Drive, Seymour

Eligible donors can find a blood or platelet donation opportunity and schedule an appointment to donate by using the free Blood Donor App, visiting red crossblood.org or calling 800-733-2767. Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass are encouraged to help speed up the donation process.

As a thank-you for helping replenish the blood supply, all donors who come to give blood or platelets now through June 10 will receive a $5 amazon.com gift card via email.

Those interested in hosting a blood drive can learn more and sign up to sponsor a drive this summer by visiting redcross blood.org/hostadrive.