Blood drives scheduled in area towns until Aug. 30

FARMINGTON — As summer winds down, the American Red Cross urges individuals to give blood and platelets now and help end an emergency summer blood shortage that began last month.

A critical need remains as many regular donors delay giving to take final summer vacations and prepare for school to start. To ensure lifesaving treatments remain available for patients in the coming weeks, donations are needed now, especially type O.

In thanks for helping at this urgent time, all those who come to donate blood or platelets through Aug. 30, will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email. (Restrictions apply; see amazon.com/ gc-legal. More information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.)

Make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 800-RED CROSS (800-7332767). Those who donated blood earlier this summer may be eligible to give again. Blood can be safely given every 56 days, and Power Red donations can be given every 16 weeks.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Aug. 16-31:

⏩ Clinton: Thursday, 12-5 p.m., Aug. 17, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Andrews Memorial Town Hall*, 54 East Main St.

⏩ Cromwell: Friday, 1-6 p.m, Cromwell Town Hall, 41 West St.; Aug. 31, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., The Cage, 14 Alcap Ridge

⏩ East Hampton: Aug. 29, 1:30-6:30 p.m., VFW, 20 North Maple St.

⏩ Higganum: Aug. 23, 1-6 p.m., Haddam Volunteer Fire Department, 439 Saybrook Rd./ Route 154

⏩ Middlefield: Aug. 21, 1-6 p.m., Middlefield Federated Church, 402 Main St.

⏩ Middletown: Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Masonic Temple- Middletown, 33 Pleasant St.; Aug. 29, 12:30-6 p.m., Middletown Police Department, 222 Main St.; Aug. 29, 7:15 a.m.-1 p.m., Middletown Police Department, 222 Main St.; Aug. 30, 1-6 p.m., City Church Middletown, 653 S. Main St.

To donate, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.