By VINCE ROBINSON
American Red Cross

The American Red Cross encourages eligible blood donors to start a lifesaving habit by becoming a regular blood donor this year, starting with National Blood Donor Month in January.

January is a challenging time for blood donations. Inclement weather can result in blood drive cancellations, and cold and flu season may cause some donors to be unable to make or keep blood donation appointments. National Blood Donor Month, celebrated in January since 1970, raises awareness of the need for blood during the winter and throughout the year, while honoring those who roll up a sleeve to help patients in need.

Donors of all blood types are needed, especially those with O negative, A negative and B negative. Type O negative is the universal blood type and can be transfused to patients with any blood type. Types A and B negative can be transfused to Rh positive or negative patients.

To learn more about donating blood and to schedule an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call (800) 733-2767.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Elkhart County

• Noon to 6 p.m.  Monday, Jan. 19, Believers Fellowship Church, 60781 SR 13 in Goshen.
• 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20, Sunnyside Park, 68546 S. Clinton in New Paris.
• 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, Pleasant View Mennonite Church, 58529 CR 23 in Goshen.
• 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, College Mennonite Church Fellowship Hall, 1900 S. Main St. in Goshen.
• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, Army National Guard, 2313 S. Oakland Ave. in Elkhart.

Kosciusko County

• 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, Walnut Creek United Methodist Church, 2033 S. CR 150W in Warsaw.
• 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22, Ivy Tech Community College, 2545 Silveus Crossing in Warsaw.
• 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, Mentone United Methodist Church, 116 E. Main St.

LaGrange County

• Noon – 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, LaGrange First United Methodist Church, 209 W. Spring St.
• 8 a.m. – noon, Saturday, Jan. 31, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 10275 E. 550S in Stroh.

Marshall County

• 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, LifePlex, 2855 Miller Drive in Plymouth.
• 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, Knights of Columbus, 901 E. Jefferson St. in Plymouth.

The Goshen Donor Center, located at 1123 S. Indiana Ave., is open noon to 6 p.m. Monday, through Wednesday, and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday and Saturday.