Give blood during National Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month, a time for Americans to prepare for disasters of all types, including personal ones that require blood transfusions. By giving blood through the American Red Cross, eligible donors can ensure blood is ready and available when any disaster strikes.

Currently, eligible donors of all blood types are needed for the Red Cross to readily meet hospital and patient needs. Eligible donors with the most in-demand and often short supply blood types — O negative, O positive, A negative and B negative — are especially encouraged to give. Donors who gave blood at the start of summer may now be eligible to donate again as summer comes to a close.

It can take up to three days for donated blood to be tested, processed and made available for patients. It’s the blood on the shelves when a disaster or emergency strikes that saves the day. Help the Red Cross ensure an adequate blood supply by making an appointment to donate blood.

Blood donation opportunities:

Clark County

Sept. 8, 12-4 p.m. at Community and Family Enrichment Center, 301 N. 23rd St., in Arkadelphia

Faulkner County

Sept. 10, 3-7 p.m. at Walgreen's, 850 Oak St., in Conway

Sept. 11, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Conway Regional Medical Center, 2302 College Ave., in Conway

Sept. 12, 7 a.m.-1 p.m. at Conway Regional Medical Center, 2302 College Ave., in Conway

Garland County

Sept. 4, 2-7 p.m. at First Church of the Nazarene, 3804 Central Ave., in Hot Springs

Sept. 11, 7:45 a.m.-2 p.m. at Village United Methodist Church, 200 Carmona Road, in Hot Springs Village

Grant County

Sept. 15, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 304 N. Main, in Sheridan

Hot Spring County

Sept. 13, 1-7:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church Family Life Center, 611 S. Main, in Malvern

Sept. 13, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Hot Spring County Medical Center, 1001 Schneider Drive, in Malvern

Jefferson County

Sept. 3, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at American Red Cross Blood Center, 1610 W. 42nd St., in Pine Bluff

Sept. 10, 2-7 p.m. at American Red Cross Blood Center, 1610 W. 42nd St., in Pine Bluff

Monroe County

Sept. 13, 1-6 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 409 W. Ash St., in Brinkley

Pope County

Sept. 5, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at Dover High School, 101 Pirates Loop, in Dover

Prairie County

Sept. 10, 2-6 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 295 N. Hazen Ave., in Hazen

Sept. 10, 2:30-6:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 401 Erwin St., in Des Arc

Pulaski County

Sept. 4, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Baptist Health Schools, 11900 Colonel Glenn Road, in Little Rock

Sept. 4, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at American Red Cross Blood Center, 4548 JFK Blvd., in North Little Rock

Sept. 5, 4-8:30 p.m. at Geyer Springs First Baptist Church, 12400 Interstate 30, in Little Rock

Sept. 5, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Pulaski Technical College Campus Center, 3000 W. Scenic Drive, in North Little Rock

Sept. 5, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Baptist Health Schools, 11900 Colonel Glenn Road, in Little Rock

Sept. 5, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at University of Arkansas, 2801 S. University Ave., in Little Rock

Sept. 6, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Pulaski Technical College Campus Center, 3000 W. Scenic Drive, in North Little Rock

Sept. 6, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Baptist Health Schools, 11900 Colonel Glenn Road, in Little Rock

Sept. 7, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., American Red Cross Blood Center, 4548 JFK Blvd., in North Little Rock

Sept. 8, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Leodis & Goldie Warren Community Development Center, 1200 Lewis St., in Little Rock

Sept. 9, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church, 4000 Rodney Parham Road, in Little Rock

Sept. 9, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Holy Souls Catholic Church, 1003 N. Tyler, in Little Rock

Sept. 11, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at American Red Cross Blood Center, 4548 JFK Blvd., in North Little Rock

Sept. 13, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at USAble Life, 320 W. Capitol, in Little Rock

Sept. 13, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Blue Advantage National Accounts, 1901 Kellett Road, in Little Rock

Sept. 14, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at American Red Cross Blood Center, 4548 JFK Blvd., in North Little Rock

Saline County

Sept. 1, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Walmart, 17309 Interstate 30 W. Congo Road, in Benton

Sept. 11, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. at Benton High School, 211 N. Border St., in Benton

Sept. 12, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. at Bryant High School Building No. 9, 200 NW Fourth St., in Bryant

Van Buren County

Sept. 14, 1-5 p.m. at Walmart, 1956 Highway 65 South, in Clinton

Sept. 15, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Walmart, 1956 Highway 65 South, in Clinton

White County

Sept. 4, 12-6 p.m. at American Red Cross Blood Center, 1120 S. Main St., in Searcy

Sept. 7, 12-6 p.m. at American Red Cross Blood Center, 1120 S. Main St., in Searcy

Sept. 11, 12-6 p.m. at American Red Cross Blood Center, 1120 S. Main St., in Searcy

Sept. 14, 12-6 p.m. at American Red Cross Blood Center, 1120 S. Main St., in Searcy

How to donate blood

Call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit www.redcrossblood.org for more information or to make an appointment. Every blood type is needed to ensure the Red Cross maintains an adequate blood supply. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Donors must have general good health, weigh at least 110 pounds and be at least 17 years old (16 with a completed Parental Consent Form). Many donors are eligible to give blood every 56 days.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross provides shelter, food and clothing to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; ministers international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. More information is available at www.redcross.org.