ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) — The American Red Cross is urging people to schedule a blood donation appointment now, citing an urgent need for donors of all blood types to help keep lifesaving blood products available for patients as summer begins.

The Red Cross says summer travel, end-of-school activities and changing schedules can lead to canceled or postponed donation appointments—creating fewer opportunities to give at a time when the organization has seen a significant drop in scheduled donations in recent weeks. The start of Atlantic hurricane season also adds another complication, as severe weather can disrupt blood drives and donation access in affected areas.

How to schedule an appointment

Donors can make an appointment by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS, or using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

Limited-time donor rewards through June 28

As a thank-you, the Red Cross says all who come to give blood June 1–28 will receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice and will be automatically entered for a chance to win one of two $7,500 gift cards. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/June.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities (June 8–28)

Ben Hill County

Fitzgerald

• June 8 | 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. | First Baptist Church at 402 South Merrimac Drive

Colquitt County

Moultrie

• June 25 | 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. | First Methodist Church of Moultrie at 409 1st Street Southeast

Crisp County

Cordele

• June 16 | 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. | Cordele Community Clubhouse 108 15th Avenue

Dougherty County

Albany

• June 11 | 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Albany Technical College (Building C), at 1704 South Slappey Blvd
• June 15 | 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. | Porterfield UMC at 2200 Dawson Rd.
• June 16 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Dougherty County Community at 2601 Dawson Road
• June 18 | noon – 6 p.m. | Phoebe Putney Healthworks Gym at 311 West Third Avenue
• June 18 | 3 p.m. – 8 p.m. | Byne Memorial Baptist Church at 2832 Ledo Rd
• June 26 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Dougherty County Community at 2601 Dawson Road

Lee County

Leesburg

• June 23 | 1:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. | Family Life Center at 134 Main Street East

Tift County

Tifton

• June 9 | 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. | Tifton Mall at 458 North Virginia Avenue
• June 10 | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Tifton VA Clinic at 1824 North Ridge Avenue
• June 16 | 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. | Tifton First Baptist Church at 404 Love Avenue
• June 23 | 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. | Tifton Methodist Church at 107 West 12th Street

Who can donate and what to bring

The Red Cross says donors generally must be at least 17 (or 16 with parental consent where allowed), weigh at least 110 pounds and be in generally good health. A blood donor card, driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Donors 18 and younger may also need to meet additional height and weight requirements.

Save time with RapidPass

Blood and platelet donors can complete pre-donation reading and the health history questionnaire online the day of their donation using RapidPass at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or through the Blood Donor App.

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