As many gather for Thanksgiving celebrations with family and friends, the American Red Cross urges donors to shake up their holiday traditions and plan a time to give blood or platelets in the coming weeks.

Blood and platelet donations tend to drop more than 20% during holiday weeks, including the days around Thanksgiving. Seasonal illness and the threat of winter weather can add more concern during a time of year that is traditionally hard on the nation’s blood supply.

Give thanks and give back – now is the time to make and keep donation appointments. Book a time to give blood or platelets at RedCrossBlood.org. As a thank-you, all who come to donate Nov. 23-27 will get an exclusive Red Cross beanie, while supplies last. Thanks to our partners at Amazon, all donors who come to give blood Nov. 28-Dec. 15 will receive a $10 Gift card by email.*

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Nov. 21-Dec. 15:

Crawford County

Bucyrus

11/28/2022: 7 a.m. – 1 p.m., Bucyrus High School, 900 W. Perry Street

12/6/2022: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Amvets Post 27 – Bucyrus, 235 E Galen St

Galion

12/2/2022: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Northmor High School, 7819 Ohio 19

12/13/2022: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Galion Alliance Church, 430 Portland Way N

North Robinson

12/7/2022: 7 a.m. – 1 p.m., Colonel Crawford High School, 2303 State Route 602

Richland County

Butler

11/25/2022: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Community Building, 21555 Pealer Mill Rd

Lexington

12/8/2022: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Heartland Church, 2505 S. Lexington-Springmill Rd S

Mansfield

11/22/2022: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Crossroads Church, 1188 Park Ave West

11/22/2022: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Lexington Senior Center, 67 East Main Street

11/23/2022: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Richland Mall RSMO, 2209 Richland Mall

11/26/2022: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Richland Mall RSMO, 2209 Richland Mall

11/30/2022: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Richland Mall RSMO, 2209 Richland Mall

12/1/2022: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., St. Peter’s High School, 111 West First Street

12/7/2022: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Richland Mall RSMO, 2209 Richland Mall

12/10/2022: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1951 Middle-Bellville Road

12/14/2022: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Richland Mall RSMO, 2209 Richland Mall

Shelby

12/8/2022: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Shelby High School, 1 Whippet Way

12/9/2022: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Pioneer Career & Tech Center, 27 Ryan Rd

12/14/2022: 7 a.m. – 1 p.m., K of C Hall, 208 Vernon Road