PORTLAND, ME – As the busy Fourth of July holiday week gets going, the American Red Cross asks donors to celebrate by making a blood or platelet donation appointment to help power the blood supply through mid-summer. While all blood types are needed, donors with type O blood are most urgently needed.

Making and keeping donation appointments now is critical to ensuring blood products are available for all patients – including those in trauma situations that may require several lifesaving transfusions – in the weeks to come. Type O negative blood is often reached for in emergencies when there isn’t time to match a patient’s blood type. Type O positive is the most common blood type, so it’s important to keep type O blood and all blood types on hand at hospitals for people facing both chronic illness and sudden, life-threatening conditions.

Don’t wait – add a blood or platelet donation appointment to your summer calendar today by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App. 

The Red Cross and goodr are joining forces in July to remind donors they’re just the type patients can count on. All who come to give July 1-14, 2025, will get an exclusive pair of Red Cross x goodr sunglasses, while supplies last. Donors can personalize their one-of-a-kind shades with a blood type sticker! For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/goodr.

Or, those who make it in to give by June 30, 2025, will get a $15 Amazon.com Gift Card by email, plus be automatically entered to win one of two $7,000 gift cards. See RedCrossBlood.org/June.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities through July 14

Cumberland

Brunswick

7/9/2025: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Elks Lodge, 179 Park Row

Cape Elizabeth

7/10/2025: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Saint Bartholomew Church, 8 Two Lights Rd

Falmouth

7/9/2025: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Lunt Auditorium, 74 Lunt Road

Freeport

7/10/2025: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn Freeport – Old Town Hall Building, 5 Park Street

Gorham

7/3/2025: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Cressey Road Christian Church, 81 Cressey Road

Portland

7/7/2025: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Maine Medical Center – Dana Education Center, 22 Bramhall Street

South Portland

7/8/2025: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., American Legion, 413 Broadway

Westbrook

7/11/2025: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Westbrook Community Center, 426 Bridge Street

Yarmouth

7/9/2025: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Yarmouth AmVets, 148 North Rd

7/11/2025: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., American Legion Post 91, 196 Main St