WICHITA — The American Red Cross urges eligible donors to be the lifeline for patients in need this holiday season by making an appointment to give blood. While helping to save lives is likely motivation enough, those who come out to give between now and Dec. 18 will also receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email, courtesy of Suburban Propane. (Restrictions apply; see amazon.com/gc-legal. More information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Thanks.) Additionally, those who come to give Nov. 27-30 will receive an exclusive long-sleeved T-shirt, while supplies last.

Still need reasons to fit lifesaving blood donation into busy holiday schedules? Try these three:

 • It’s quick and easy to find a convenient blood drive. Search for drives by ZIP code and make an appointment to donate using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, online at RedCrossBlood.org, by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or by enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

• Donors can save time by completing a RapidPass®. The entire donation process only takes about an hour, but donors can save time with RapidPass. Pre-donation reading and health history questions can be completed online to save about 15 minutes.

• Donors will get important health information. Donors receive a mini-health screening to help determine eligibility that includes blood pressure, pulse and hemoglobin readings. First-time donors will also find out their blood type soon after donating.

 As schedules fill with holiday parties, shopping and fun with friends and family, many blood donors delay giving. Unfortunately, that may lead to delays in treatments for patients relying on blood. Right now, there is a critical need for type O blood donors.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Claflin

Dec. 13 - 12:30-6:30 p.m. at the  Claflin Community Center, 409 A St.

Ellinwood

Dec. 2 - 12:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Parish Center, 110 W. 2nd St.

Dec. 12 - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ellinwood District Hospital, 605 N. Main.

Great Bend

Nov. 18 - 11:15 a.m. to 6 p.m., St. Rose Auditorium, 1412 Baker Ave.

Nov. 20 - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Best Western Angus Inn, 2920 10th St.

Nov. 26 - 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Barton County Health Dept., 1300 Kansas Ave.

Dec. 10 - 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Prince of Peace Parish Center, 4124 Broadway Ave.

Dec. 11 - 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 3821 10th St.

Dec. 12 - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Holiday Inn Express & Suites.

Dec. 13 - 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at CUNA Mutual Retirement Solutions, 1809 24th St.

Dec. 18 - noon to 6 p.m. at Walmart Supercenter, 3503 10th St.

Larned

Dec. 17 - noon to 6 p.m. at Knights of Columbus Hall, 1216 M Rd.