PORTLAND, ME — When blood products are fully stocked on hospital shelves, patients don’t have to wait for critical care. Giving blood or platelets with the American Red Cross in December can help those in need make more holiday memories with loved ones.

This is a busy time for many. Holiday gatherings, travel and seasonal illnesses can all impact donor availability, making it hard to collect enough blood and platelets. Unfortunately, trauma patients in the emergency room, those undergoing cancer treatment and new parents in need of lifesaving transfusions can’t take a holiday break. Donors are needed every single day.  

Those who come to give blood, platelets or AB Elite plasma Dec. 18, 2023-Jan. 5, 2024, will receive an exclusive Red Cross long-sleeved T-shirt, while supplies last. To extend a special thank-you to donors for helping address the need for blood, platelets and plasma during the critical post-holiday time, those who come to give Jan. 1-31, 2024, National Blood Donor Month, will be automatically entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities for Dec. 20 – Jan. 5:

Cumberland

Brunswick

12/27/2023: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Elks Lodge, 179 Park Row

1/4/2024: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Martins Point Healthcare, 114 Bath Road

Cape Elizabeth

12/28/2023: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Saint Bartholomew Church, 8 Two Lights Rd

Falmouth

12/28/2023: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., The Episcopal Church of St. Mary, 43 Foreside Rd

Gorham

1/4/2024: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Cressey Road Christian Church, 81 Cressey Road

Portland|

1/3/2024: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Portland Elks Lodge, 1945 Congress St.

Scarborough

12/29/2023: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Public Safety Building, 275 US-1

12/29/2023: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Public Safety Building, 275 US-1

South Portland

1/2/2024: 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., South Portland Community Center, 21 Nelson Road

Yarmouth

12/29/2023: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., American Legion Post 91, 196 Main St

Making and keeping appointments throughout the month can help safeguard the national blood supply into the new year. Schedule an appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).