ST. GEORGE– The American Red Cross urges eligible donors to help ensure a sufficient blood supply for patients by giving blood this February.

During the winter months, inclement weather and seasonal illnesses can keep regular donors from giving blood. As a result, healthy donors of all blood types are needed to help maintain an adequate blood supply for patients not only in their own communities but also areas where donors were unable to give due to severe winter weather. Individuals with types O, AB, B-negative and A-negative blood are especially needed.

Blood donor Loretta Brandon knows how important it is to have a readily available blood supply. Her late husband required transfusions from generous strangers multiple times for health conditions. She gives blood as often as she can.

“Every time I give blood, I am filled with a sense of gratitude for all I have and for the fact that I can share with others,” Brandon said.

How to donate blood

All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. To donate blood, simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App. Potential donors can also visit the Red Cross website or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information.

A blood donor card, driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), 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 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 prior to arriving at the blood drive. To learn more or get started, visit the Red Cross RapidPass website and follow the instructions on the site.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Washington County

St. George

2/16/2016: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., St. George Blood Donation Center, 476 E. Riverside Drive, Suite B6

2/18/2016: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Wells Fargo Bank, 1 S. Main St.

2/19/2016: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., St. George Blood Donation Center, 476 E. Riverside Drive, Suite B6

2/22/2016: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. George Blood Donation Center, 476 E. Riverside Drive, Suite B6

2/24/2016: 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., St. George Institute, 943 E. 400 South

2/26/2016: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., St. George Blood Donation Center, 476 E. Riverside Drive, Suite B6

2/26/2016: 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., Rocky Mountain Home Care & Hospice, 736 S. 900 East , Suite #B 107

2/29/2016: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. George Blood Donation Center, 476 E. Riverside Drive, Suite B6

Enterprise

2/16/2016: 1:30 p.m. – 7 p.m., Enterprise Utah Stake 4th and 5th Ward Building, 620 E. Main

Iron County

Cedar City

2/19/2016: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Hunter Conference Center, 351 W. University Blvd.

2/22/2016: 10 a.m. – 4:15 p.m., Southwest Community Credit Union, 444 S. Main St.

Enoch 

2/23/2016: 1:30 p.m. – 7 p.m., Enoch Stake Center, 2233 E. Village Green Road

Kanarraville 

2/25/2016: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Kanarraville Chapel, 80 S. Main St.

Parowan

2/17/2016: 1 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Parowan Fairgrounds, 68 S. 100 East

Kane County

Kanab 

2/25/2016: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Best Friends Animal Society, 5001 Angel Canyon Road

Sevier County

Monroe

2/29/2016: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monroe Stake, 49 E. 200 North