With no substitute for blood and no way to manufacture it, volunteer donors are essential for hospital patients in need of transfusions.

During National Volunteer Month, the American Red Cross is celebrating the blood, platelet and plasma donors who help fulfill its lifesaving mission and urging healthy individuals to join them in giving.

An upcoming blood donation site will be from 8 a.m. to noon April 25 at St. Paul Lutheran Church Borchers, 10792 N. County Road 210E, Seymour.

The Red Cross continues to urge healthy individuals, especially those with type O blood, to give blood to ensure hospitals can meet patient needs.

Schedule an appointment to donate by using the free Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 800-733-2767 or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

As a thank-you, those who come to give by April 30 will automatically be entered for a chance to win one of five $1,000 e-gift cards to a merchant of choice.

Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass are encouraged to help speed up the donation process.

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.