Red Cross calls for healthy donors

FARMINGTON — As the flu season begins, the American Red Cross is urging healthy donors of all blood types to give blood or platelets to ensure a strong blood supply for patients in need.

Blood and platelets can only be given by donors who are feeling well. One way to maintain health is to get a flu vaccine each fall. There is no waiting period to give blood or platelets after receiving a flu shot as long as the donor is symptom-free and fever-free.

Stay healthy this flu season and make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS/1800-733-2767.

Donors of all blood types, especially type O, are needed this fall after hurricanes Michael and Florence forced the cancellation of about 200 blood drives, causing approximately 7,000 units of blood and platelets to go uncollected.

Middletown: Nov. 6, 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Middletown Elks Lodge, 44 Maynard St.

Berlin: Nov. 2, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 1103 Chamberlain Highway

Burlington: Nov. 10, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Burlington Town Hall, 200 Spielman Highway

Canton: Nov.1, 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 27 Lawton Rd

East Granby: Nov. 8, 1:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m., East Granby Congregational Church, 9 Rainbow Road, Route 20

East Windsor: Nov. 8, 10 a.m. 3:45 p.m., Lincoln Technical Institute, 97 Newberry Road

Farmington: Nov. 3, 6:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m., Red Cross Blood Donation Center, 209 Farmington Ave.; Nov. 7, 11:45 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Red Cross Blood Donation Center, 209 Farmington Ave.; Nov. 10, 6:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., Red Cross Blood Donation Center, 209 Farmington Ave.:; Nov. 11, 11:45 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Red Cross Blood Donation Center, 209 Farmington Ave.

Glastonbury: Nov. 9, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Selective Insurance, 500 Winding Brook Drive; Nov. 12, 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Monaco Ford, 767 New London Turnpike; Nov. 15, 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., First Church of Christ, 2183 Main Street

Marlborough: Nov. 1, 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Marlborough Senior Center, 17 School Drive

New Britain: Nov. 1, 12 p.m. 5:45 p.m., Central Connecticut State University Student Center, Ella Grasso Blvd

West Hartford: Nov. 13, 12 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., West Hartford Town Hall, 50 South Main St