Great Bend residents will have two opportunities to donate blood this month.
During Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, the American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give blood to support cancer patients and others needing blood products.
According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the United States, with one in eight developing invasive breast cancer in their lifetime. Breast cancer patients may need blood products during chemotherapy, mastectomy surgery or treatment of complications.   
Blood donor Mary Thorngate Hall is one such example. She was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in 2010.
“I began treatment (with) my first round of chemotherapy lasting six hours. My body did not tolerate it, and I began to hemorrhage,” she said. “I needed blood to survive. I cannot express my gratitude to the people who donated their lifesaving blood.”
Volunteer donors are the only source of blood products for those needing transfusions. Donors with all blood types are needed, especially those with types O negative, B negative, A negative and AB blood.
To make an appointment to donate blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App from app stores or text BLOODAPP to 90999 to receive a download link, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Upcoming blood donation opportunities:
Claflin - 1:45 to 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, at Immaculate Conception Church, 110 East Williamson.
Ellinwood - 2 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, at St Joseph’s Parish Center, 110 W. 2nd.
Great Bend - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, at Pathways Rescare (Outer Building), 2317 Washington; and 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, at St. Rose Health Center, 3515 Broadway.
Ness City - 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19, at the Ness County Fair Building.
Ransom - 9 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, Western Plains High School.
Larned - 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19, at Larned High School, 815 Corse.
Bison - Noon to 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, at Bison Middle School, 411 Main Street.