$10 Amazon.com Gift Card or T-shirt for donors this month

Bridgeport, CT -- As more people make travel plans to celebrate with family and friends this year, the American Red Cross asks donors to set aside a time to give blood or platelets for patients waiting for care over the holidays.

Throughout the season, several factors can disrupt the ability of the Red Cross to collect enough blood for patients across the country.

· Travel: According to a recent study, nearly half of Americans plan to travel over the holidays this year, which may negatively impact the blood supply if fewer people come out to donate.

· Seasonal illness: The U.S. is seeing a rise in respiratory illnesses like the flu and RSV, which can decrease the availability of healthy donors.

· Weather: Parts of the country have already seen storms bring several feet of snow this year. Winter weather often leads to hazardous road conditions, canceling blood drives and making it dangerous for donors to venture out to give.

It’s important for donors − especially type O blood donors and platelet donors − to give now to ensure hospitals have the blood they need through the end of the year. Schedule an appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting www.RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

As a thank-you, all who come to give blood through Dec. 15 will receive a $10 Amazon.com  Gift Card by email, thanks to Amazon.* Those who come to give Dec. 16-Jan. 2 will get a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Dec. 7-31

** Fairfield

Bethel

12/22/2022: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Bethel Volunteer Fire Department, 36 South Street #38, Bethel, CT

Bridgeport

12/9/2022: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Burroughs Community Center, 2470 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport, CT

12/14/2022: 12 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Bridgeport Hospital, 200 Mill Hill Avenue, Bridgeport, CT

12/14/2022: 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Bridgeport Hospital, 200 Mill Hill Avenue, Bridgeport, CT

12/16/2022: 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Rodeph Sholom, 2385 Park Ave., Bridgeport, CT

12/31/2022: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., St. Andrews Church, 435 Anton Street, Bridgeport, CT

Brookfield

12/28/2022: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Congregational Church of Brookfield, 160 Whisconier Road, Brookfield, CT

Danbury

12/13/2022: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Gethsemane Baptist Church International, Gethsemane Baptist Church International, 8 Delay Street, Danbury, CT

12/22/2022: 11:15 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Danbury Hospital RSM, 24 Hospital Avenue, Danbury, CT

12/24/2022: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Immanuel Lutheran Church, 18 Clapboard Ridge Rd., Danbury, CT

Darien

12/8/2022: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., First Congregational Church of Darien, 14 Brookside Road, Darien, CT

Easton

12/27/2022: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Easton Public Library, 691 Morehouse Road, Easton, CT

Fairfield

12/7/2022: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Gaelic American Club, 74 Beach Road, Fairfield, CT
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12/10/2022: 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., St. Pius Parish Center, 834 Brookside Drive, Fairfield, CT

12/14/2022: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Congregation Beth El, 1200 Fairfield Woods Road, Fairfield, CT

12/16/2022: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Black Rock Church, 3685 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield, CT

12/27/2022: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Grace United Methodist Church, 1089 Fairfield Woods Road, Fairfield, CT

New Fairfield

12/12/2022: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., New Fairfield Congregational Church, 20 Gillotti Road, New Fairfield, CT

Newtown

12/9/2022: 1 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West St., Newtown, CT

12/9/2022: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West St., Newtown, CT

12/27/2022: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West St., Newtown, CT

Norwalk

12/9/2022: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., United Church of Rowayton, 210 Rowayton Ave, Norwalk, CT

12/13/2022: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., St. Philip's Church, 25 France Street, Norwalk, CT

12/15/2022: 7:45 a.m. - 1 p.m., Merritt Seven/Venture,L.L.C Building 301, 449 Main Ave, Norwalk, CT

12/16/2022: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Norwalk Hospital, 34 Maple Street, Norwalk, CT

12/21/2022: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., American Legion, 60 County Road, Norwalk, CT

12/27/2022: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., St. Ann's Club, 16 Hendricks Avenue, Norwalk, CT

Ridgefield

12/29/2022: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Ridgefield Park & Recreation Center, 195 Danbury Rd., Ridgefield, CT

Shelton

12/14/2022: 12:45 p.m. - 5 p.m., Gardner Heights Healthcare Center, 172 Rocky Rest Road, Shelton, CT

12/14/2022: 9 a.m. - 1:15 p.m., Gardner Heights Healthcare Center, 172 Rocky Rest Road, Shelton, CT

12/16/2022: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Shelton Community Center, 41 Church Street, Shelton, CT

12/22/2022: 12:30 p.m. - 5 p.m., Shelton Community Center, 41 Church Street, Shelton, CT

12/22/2022: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Shelton Community Center, 41 Church Street, Shelton, CT

Stamford

12/8/2022: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Stamford Church of Christ, 1264 High Ridge Road, Stamford, CT

12/8/2022: 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Stamford Church of Christ, 1264 High Ridge Road, Stamford, CT

12/10/2022: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Anam Cara Irish Dance School, 72 Camp Avenue, Stamford, CT

12/19/2022: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., First Presbyterian Church Stamford, 1101 Bedford St, Stamford, CT

12/24/2022: 7:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m., Union Baptist Church, 805 Newfield Avenue, Stamford, CT

Stratford

12/23/2022: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Our Lady of Grace Parish Center, 345 Second Hill Lane, Stratford, CT

12/27/2022: 1:45 p.m. - 7 p.m., Baldwin Senior Center, 1000 West Broad Street, Stratford, CT

Trumbull

12/14/2022: 1 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 406 White Plains Road, Trumbull, CT

12/14/2022: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 406 White Plains Road, Trumbull, CT

12/14/2022: 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Insports Centers, 29 Trefoil Drive, Trumbull, CT

12/27/2022: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 406 White Plains Road, Trumbull, CT

Weston

12/23/2022: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Norfield Church, Norfield Road, Weston, CT

Westport

12/7/2022: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., The Westport Library, Arnold Bernhard Plaza, 20 Jesup Road, Westport, CT

12/15/2022: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., VFW, 465 Riverside Avenue, Westport, CT

12/23/2022: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Green's Farms Church, 71 Hillandale Road, Westport, CT

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit www.RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device 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. In Connecticut, individuals who are 16 years of age with parental consent, 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, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at www.RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

Amplify your impact − volunteer!

Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross is to become a volunteer blood donor ambassador at Red Cross blood drives. Blood donor ambassadors help greet, check-in and thank blood donors to ensure they have a positive donation experience.

Volunteers can also serve as transportation specialists, playing a vital role in ensuring lifesaving blood products are delivered to nearby hospitals. For more information and to apply for either position, visit www.redcross.org/volunteertoday.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or www.CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.