Blood donors urged to help restock Red Cross shelves after severe winter storms

Though spring has officially arrived, the American Red Cross blood supply is still recovering from severe winter storms in March, according to a news release. Donors of all blood types are urged to roll up a sleeve and help save lives.

In Minnesota, 21 blood drives were canceled or closed early due to winter weather in March, causing 525 donations to go uncollected, the release stated.

Make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting www.RedCrossBlood.org or calling 800-733-2767.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities include:

• Baxter, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 12, Arrowwood Lodge at Brainerd Lakes, 6967 Lake Forest Road.

• Crosslake, noon to 6 p.m. April 3, Crosslake Lutheran Church, 35960 County Highway 66.

• Fort Ripley, noon to 6 p.m. April 12, St. Mathias Catholic Church, 4529 County Road 121.

• Ironton, noon to 6 p.m., American Legion, 232 Fourth St.

• Pequot Lakes, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 3, Pequot Lakes High School, 30805 Olson St.

• Little Falls, 1-7 p.m. Tuesday, noon to 6 p.m. March 28, and 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., St. Francis Center, 116 Eighth Ave. SE.

• Long Prairie, noon to 6 p.m. April 2, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 3, CentraCare Health, 50 CentraCare Drive.

• Wadena, noon to 6 p.m. March 29, Maslowski Wellness & Research Center, 17 Fifth St. SW.

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. People 17 years old 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.

Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross is to become a volunteer transportation specialist and deliver lifesaving blood products to local area hospitals. Volunteer transportation specialists play a role in ensuring an ample blood supply for patients in need by transporting blood and blood products.

For more information and to apply for a volunteer transportation specialist position, contact North Central Volunteer Services at ncvolunteerresources@redcross.org or 651-291-3360 or visit www.rdcrss.org/driver .