PORTLAND, ME – The American Red Cross urges people to celebrate the power of kindness by making an appointment to give lifesaving blood or platelets. Every donation is critical to helping prevent the next blood shortage.

The Red Cross and Hello Kitty® and Friends are partnering in September to remind donors that comfort and care are always better when shared. Just one blood or platelet donation can help more than one patient enjoy a happier future. As a thank-you, those who come to give through Sept. 20, 2026, will get an exclusive Red Cross × Hello Kitty plush mascot clip and surprise sticker pack, while supplies last. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/HelloKitty.

Thanks to the generosity of thousands of people who rolled up a sleeve this summer, the blood supply continues to recover from critically low levels. As we enter September, the blood supply remains vulnerable — especially as we approach new seasonal challenges such as back-to-school activities that can cause donors to be less available to give, and the ongoing potential for tropical systems in the Atlantic, which can further threaten the blood supply by disrupting blood drives. By making and keeping appointments now, donors can help the Red Cross ensure lifesaving blood products are on hand wherever they are needed, including communities where donations may not be possible due to severe summer weather and natural disasters.

One small act of kindness can travel far. Spark joy and book a time to give blood or platelets by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Sept.1-20:

Cumberland

Bridgton

9/3/2026: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Bridgton Community Center, 15 Depot St

Brunswick

9/10/2026: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 27 Pleasant Street

Falmouth

9/9/2026: 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Lunt Auditorium, 74 Lunt Road

Gorham

9/3/2026: 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Cressey Road Christian Church, 81 Cressey Road

9/17/2026: 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Cressey Road Christian Church, 81 Cressey Road

Gray

9/15/2026: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., American Legion Gray, 15 Lewiston Rd

Scarborough

9/15/2026: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., The Rock Church, 66 Gorham Rd

South Portland

9/15/2026: 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., South Portland Community Center, 21 Nelson Road

Westbrook

9/11/2026: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Westbrook Community Center, 426 Bridge Street

Windham

9/4/2026: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Windham, 755 River Road

9/16/2026: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., North Windham Veterans Center, 35 Veterans Memorial Drive

Yarmouth

9/4/2026: 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., American Legion Post 91, 196 Main St

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