PORTLAND, ME – During National Wellness Month, the American Red Cross encourages people to prioritize their personal health and well-being while helping to save lives with a blood or platelet donation. Donors of all blood types – especially those with type O positive or B negative blood – are asked to make an appointment now to prevent a further drop in donor turnout.

In August, the Red Cross will provide free A1C screening – a test commonly used to screen for prediabetes and diabetes – for all donors who make a successful blood, platelet or plasma donation. Fasting is not required for this test, and donors will be able to view their confidential results one to two weeks after their donation in the Blood Donor App or their donor account at RedCrossBlood.org. Donors will receive one A1C test result in a 12-month period.

August also brings changes in routines. Back-to-school plans, the start of fall sports and final summer vacations may be top of mind right now, but patients can’t wait. Making and keeping donation appointments can be the difference in a patient’s treatment journey. 

Help save lives and empower your health! Schedule a time to give now by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App. Those who come to give through August 28, 2025, will receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. For details on both offers, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Test.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Aug. 16-31

Cumberland

Brunswick

8/22/2025: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., American Legion Post 20, 1 Columbus Drive

8/27/2025: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Elks Lodge, 179 Park Row

Falmouth

8/27/2025: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Lunt Auditorium, 74 Lunt Road

Freeport

8/25/2025: 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn Freeport – Old Town Hall Building, 5 Park Street

Gorham

8/21/2025: 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Cressey Road Christian Church, 81 Cressey Road

Portland

8/19/2025: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., UNUM HO3, 2211 Congress St

8/22/2025: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine, 1342 Congress St

8/30/2025: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Holiday Inn By the Bay, 88 Spring Street

South Portland

8/25/2025: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Portland Sheraton at Sable Oaks, 200 Sable Oaks Drive

8/26/2025: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Eastpoint Christian Church, 345 Clarks Pond Pkwy

Westbrook

8/22/2025: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Westbrook Community Center, 426 Bridge Street

8/28/2025: 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Bill Dodge Auto Group, 4 Saunders Way

Windham

8/20/2025: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., North Windham Veterans Center, 35 Veterans Memorial Drive