December may be the season of giving – but it’s typically a challenging time to collect enough blood donations. Add in a pandemic, and this year could be even tougher than usual. That’s why the American Red Cross is urging those who are feeling well to give the gift of life by donating blood this holiday season.

The need for blood doesn’t stop for holidays. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, more than 1 million blood transfusions will be given in the United States. Donations of all blood types are needed to ensure hospital shelves remain stocked to meet patient blood needs.

Make your appointment to give blood, platelets or plasma with the Red Cross by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCross-Blood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

To encourage donations this holiday season, those who come to donate blood, platelets or plasma with the Red Cross Dec. 18-Jan. 4 will receive a longsleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last. Upcoming Pierce County Blood Drives are:

Ellsworth

1/4/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Zion Covenant Church Ellsworth, 210 N. Beulah St.

Elmwood

12/17/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Village Auditorium, 323 W. Winter Ave.

River Falls

12/17/2020: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., River Falls Library, 140 Union St.