With the busy holiday season approaching, the American Red Cross encourages donors to give blood now to help ensure a sufficient supply for patients this winter.

Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, many regular donors delay giving due to holiday activities and travel. This often decreases the amount of donated blood available for patients.

More donations are needed in the weeks leading up to the holidays to help stock the shelves for patients like Emily Bratton. After the birth of her first child, she received several units of blood.

“I know that my life was saved because someone, somewhere, was willing to donate their blood,” Bratton said. “There aren’t words to describe how incredibly thankful I am that people are willing to donate blood to help a stranger.”

The Red Cross asks that local residents give patients in need another reason to be thankful by making an appointment to give blood.

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.

Those looking for ways to contribute can download the free 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 in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), 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.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass ® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, from a computer or mobile device. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.

Here is a list of upcoming blood donation opportunities from Nov. 1 to Nov. 15.

Berrien

Buchanan

Nov. 13: Noon to 5:45 p.m., Buchanan Moose Lodge, 101 S. Redbud Trail

Saint Joseph

Nov. 15: 11 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., American Red Cross, 3838 Niles Road

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Van Buren

Lawrence

Nov. 7: 9:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., Lawrence High School, 650 W. St. Joseph Street

South Haven

Nov. 7: Noon to 5:45 p.m., Moose Lodge 697, 1025 Wells St

Nov. 7: 1 to 6:45 p.m., North Shore Elementary, 7320 North Shore Drive

Nov. 9: Noon to 5:45 p.m., Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 06321 Blue Star Memorial Hwy.

Bloomingdale

Nov. 13: Noon to 5:45 p.m., Bloomingdale Telephone Company, 101 West Kalamazoo

Bangor

Nov. 14: 8 a.m. to 1:45 p.m., Bangor High School Annex, 799 West Arlington