By VINCE ROBINSON
American Red Cross

The American Red Cross encourages eligible blood donors to become everyday heroes by giving blood in celebration of Red Cross Month this March.

Since 1943, every president has designated March as Red Cross Month – a time to recognize those who support the Red Cross. Local communities depend on the Red Cross, which relies on donations of time, money and blood to fulfill its humanitarian mission.

It doesn’t take a cape or superpowers to be a hero. By donating blood, eligible donors can help save the lives of patients in need. Those who are unable to give blood can support blood donations by organizing a blood drive, volunteering to assist with Red Cross activities, or creating a SleevesUp virtual blood drive online at redcrossblood.org/SleevesUp and asking others to make a lifesaving donation.

To make an appointment to give blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Elkhart County

• Noon to 6 p.m. Monday, March 16, Believers Fellowship Church, 607841 S.R. 13, Goshen.
• 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, Sunnyside Park, 68546 S. Clinton, New Paris.
• 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, Pleasant View Mennonite Church, 58529 C.R. 23, Goshen.
• 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, March 19, Northridge High Schoo, 56779 Northridge Dr., Middlebury.
• 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday, March 23, St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church and School, 109 W. Monroe St., Goshen
• 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, Hilton Garden Inn, 3401 Plaza Court, Elkhart.
• 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 31, Goshen College, 1700 S. Main St., Goshen.

Kosciusko County

• Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 28, Culver’s, 852 N. Parker St., Warsaw.
• 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, March 30, Milford School, 611 W. Emeline St., Milford.
• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, March 30, Mason Health and Rehab, 900 Provident Dr., Warsaw.
• 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 31, North Webster Church of God, 302 N. Main, North Webster.
• 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 31, Ivy Tech Community College, 2545 Silveus Crossing, Warsaw.

LaGrange County

• Noon to 6 p.m. Monday, March 16, LaGrange First United Methodist Church, 209 W. Spring St., LaGrange

Marshall County

• 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, St. Isidore Hall, 803 W. Bike St., Bremen.
• 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 26, Knights of Columbus, 901 E. Jefferson St., Plymouth.

St. Joseph County

• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, Mishawaka Penn Harris Public Library, 51446 Elm Rd., Granger.
• Noon to 4 p.m. Thursday, March 26, Cummins, 3025 N. Home St., Mishawaka.
• Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 29, Lowe’s Home Improvement, 4660 N. Grape Rd., Mishawaka.

The Goshen Donor Center

Located at 1123 S. Indiana Ave., Goshen. Open noon to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call (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 (16 with parental consent in some states), 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.