Blood drives scheduled in area

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 or platelets. While helping to save lives is likely motivation enough, those who come out to give Nov. 18Dec. 18 will also receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email, courtesy of Suburban Propane. Still need reasons to fit lifesaving blood donation into busy holiday schedules? Try these three:

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 1800RED CROSS 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. Predonation reading and health history questions can be completed online to save about 15 minutes. Donors will get important health information. Donors receive a minihealth screening to help determine eligibility that includes blood pressure, pulse and hemoglobin readings. Firsttime donors will also find out their blood type soon after donating.

The Red Cross is thanking those who come to give Nov. 18Dec. 18 with a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email, courtesy of Suburban Propane. (Restrictions apply; see amazon.com/gclegal. More information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Thanks.) Additionally, those who come to give Nov. 2730 will receive an exclusive longsleeved Tshirt, while supplies last.

Cornwall: Nov. 30, 9 a.m. 2 p.m., United Church of Christ Congregational, 8 Bolton Hill Road

Kent: Dec. 18, 12:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m., Kent Town Hall, 41 Kent Green Blvd

Litchfield: Dec. 3, 1 p.m. 6:30 p.m., Litchfield Community Center, 421 Bantam Rd

New Preston Marble Dale: Dec. 3, 7 a.m. 12 p.m., Washington Montessori School, 240 Litchfield Turnpike

Salisbury: Dec. 5, 1 p.m. 6 p.m., Salisbury Congregational Church, 30 Main Street

Torrington: Nov. 25, 1 p.m. 6 p.m., St. Peter Church, 109 East Main St.; Nov. 27, 8 a.m. 1 p.m., St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 837 Charles St.

Winsted: Dec. 2, 12 p.m. 5 p.m., Northwestern Connecticut Community College, Park Place East/Route 8

Woodbury: Dec. 7, 7:45 a.m. 12:45 p.m., Woodbury Senior Center, 265 Main Street