The American Red Cross urges people to celebrate the power of kindness by making an appointment to give lifesaving blood or platelets. Every donation is critical to helping prevent the next blood shortage.

The Red Cross and Hello Kitty® and Friends are partnering in September to remind donors that comfort and care are always better when shared. Just one blood or platelets donation can help more than one patient enjoy a happier future. As a thank-you, those who come to give Sept. 1-20, will get an exclusive Red Cross × Hello Kitty plush mascot clip and surprise sticker pack, while supplies last. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/HelloKitty

Thanks to the generosity of thousands of people who rolled up a sleeve this summer, the blood supply continues to recover from critically low levels. As we enter September, the blood supply remains vulnerable — especially as we approach new seasonal challenges such as back-to-school activities that can cause donors to be less available to give, and the ongoing potential for tropical systems in the Atlantic, which can further threaten the blood supply by disrupting blood drives.

Local upcoming blood donation opportunities Sept. 1-20:

Ellinwood

Sept. 25, noon - 6 p.m., St Joseph’s Parish Center, 110 W. 2nd St.

Great Bend

Sept. 4, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Polk Street Building, 1309 Polk Street

Sept. 15, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Club 1 Fitness, 3806 Broadway Ave

Sept. 21, 12:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., St. Rose Auditorium, 1412 Baker St.

Sterling

Sept. 17, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Sterling High School, 308 E. Washington St.