By VINCE ROBINSON
American Red Cross

The American Red Cross encourages eligible blood donors to make a difference in the lives of patients this spring by giving blood.

Donated blood is perishable and must be constantly replenished to keep up with the demand. Red blood cells, with a shelf life of only 42 days, are the most frequently transfused blood component, and are always needed by hospitals.

Eligible donors can give red cells through either a regular whole blood donation or a double red cell donation, where available. Double red cell donations yield twice the usual amount of red cells in a single appointment and are accepted at select donation locations. Double red cell donors must meet additional eligibility criteria, which will be determined at the donation appointment.

To find a convenient donation opportunity and schedule an appointment, donors can download the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Elkhart County

• 1:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 20, Northside Baptist Church, 53198 CR 9, Elkhart.
• Noon until 6 p.m. Monday, April 20, First Mennonite Church, 203 E. Lawrence, Middlebury.
• 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 28, Benton Mennonite Church, 15350 CR 44, Goshen.
• Noon until 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 18, Nappanee Missionary Church, 70417 SR 19 North, Nappanee.

Kosciusko County

• 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday, April 25, YMCA, 1305 Mariners Drive, Warsaw.
• Noon until 6 p.m. Thursday, April 30, Calvary United Methodist Church, 801 S. Huntington St., Syracuse.

LaGrange County

• 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. Friday, April 17, Lakeland High School, 0805 E. 075 N., LaGrange.

Marshall County

• 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Thursday, April 23, Ancilla College, Administration Building, 9601 S. Union, Donaldson.

St. Joseph County

• 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday, April 20, LaFortune Student Center, 315 LaFortune Student Center, Notre Dame.
• 11 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, Everest-Rohrer Chapel, 1001 W. McKinley, Mishawaka

The Goshen Donor Center, located at 1123 S. Indiana Ave., in Goshen, is 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 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) 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.