By VINCE ROBINSON
American Red Cross

WARSAW — The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to help their communities prepare for emergencies by giving blood during National Preparedness Month this September.

Becoming a regular blood donor is one way to help ensure communities are prepared for any emergency, including those where blood transfusions are needed. The Red Cross also encourages the public to get prepared by making a disaster plan for their homes or work places.

A sufficient blood supply is central to ensuring hospitals are prepared to meet patient needs in times of disaster, including the very personal ones that can happen any day. Because blood takes about 48 hours to be tested, processed and made available for patients, it’s the blood already on the shelves that can help save the day when emergencies occur.

This month also marks the sixth year that the Red Cross and Sport Clips Haircuts have teamed up to help increase blood donations. Through the Saving Lives Never Looked So Good campaign, Sport Clips is thanking those who give blood in September with a coupon for a free haircut at participating Sport Clips locations. The coupon is valid through Nov. 8, and will be emailed to donors a few days after their donation.

Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood and volunteer donors are the only source for patients needing transfusions. The Red Cross needs blood donors of all types — especially those with types AB, O negative, B negative and A negative — to give blood regularly.

To make an appointment to give blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call (800) 733-2767. For information on planning for emergencies and preparedness training, visit redcross.org/prepare.

Kosciusko County Blood Drives

• Noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23 — Etna Green United Methodist Church, 131 West Broadway St., Etna Green
• Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, 9/26/2015: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Culver’s, 852 N. Parker St., Warsaw
• 12:30-6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28 — Syracuse Elementary School, 502 W. Brooklyn St., Syracuse

A blood donor card, driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age or 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 and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, visit redcross.org or visit them on Twitter at @RedCross.