The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to end the year with real meaning by donating blood for hospital patients in need.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities include:
• Claflin – Dec. 18, 1:45-6 p.m., Immaculate Conception Church, 110 E Williamson.
• Ellinwood – Dec. 28, 2-7 p.m., St Joseph’s Parish Center, 110 W. 2nd St.
• Great Bend – Dec. 28, 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Prince of Peace Parish Center, 4124 Broadway.
• Ness City – Dec. 16, 12:30-5:30 p.m., Ness County Fair Building, 302 W Nevada.
• Ransom – Dec. 17, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Western Plains High School, 100 School St.
• Larned – Dec. 29, noon to 6 p.m., Larned Community Center, 1500 Toles.
• La Crosse – Dec. 18, noon to 6 p.m., La Crosse City Auditorium, 417 Main St.
• Saint John – 2-6 p.m., IOOF Gym, 700 E. 1st.
Holiday activities, severe weather and seasonal illnesses like the flu can pull people away from their regular blood donation schedules. This creates a greater need for blood donations this time of year, especially around the winter holidays. To encourage donations, all those who come to donate Dec. 23 through Jan. 3 will get a long-sleeve Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.
Jamie Czesak made her first blood donation on Dec. 27, 2013. “As I spent Christmas with my family, I realized how lucky I was to have my health and how we never really know when our last Christmas will be. I decided that I would face my fears and do one of the few things I can do to help save someone’s life    donate blood.”  
Healthy donors with all blood types are needed, especially those with types AB, O, B negative and A negative. To make an appointment to donate blood, download the free Red Cross Blood Donor App from app stores, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donors can now use the Blood Donor App to access their donor card and view vital signs from previous donations.