Many opportunities to donate blood during Red Cross Month

The American Red Cross urges the public to join its lifesaving mission by giving blood or platelets this March in celebration of Red Cross Month.

Donors of all blood types, especially type O, are urgently needed to help ensure blood is available for patients this spring, according to a press release from the group.

Every day, thousands of patients depend on blood donations to help save their lives – patients like Heath Cornford who spent his first 217 days of life in the hospital. Born in February 2018 with an abnormal narrowing of the heart, Heath has undergone many complex surgeries – including a heart transplant – and required a number of blood transfusions.

“I can’t tell you how thankful we are for the lifesaving donations that saved our son,” said his mom, Mylinda Cornford. “Blood is something you can donate for free. You can make an impact, save a life and give back to your community.”

Heath recently celebrated his second birthday and is a thriving, energetic toddler.

Heroes of all blood types, especially type O, are urgently needed to provide hope and help for patients across the country. Make an appointment now by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

Upcoming opportunities to donate include:

Butler County

• Poplar Bluff

3/6/2020: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Poplar Bluff High School, 3209 Oak Grove Road

3/13/2020: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, 3100 Oak Grove Road

3/16/2020: 2:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Poplar Bluff Eagles Lodge, 1400 South Broadway

3/19/2020: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., St. Francis Health Center, 217 Physicians Park Drive

3/23/2020: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 500 North Main Street

3/26/2020: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Temple Baptist Church, 1813 Barron Road

Carter County

• Ellsinore

3/16/2020: 2:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Ellsinore General Baptist Church, 16 North Herren

• Van Buren

3/11/2020: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., FEMA Building, 202 West College

Dunklin County

• Campbell

3/9/2020: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Campbell High School, 801 Highway 53 South

• Clarkton

3/4/2020: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Clarkton High School, Highway 162

•Malden

3/25/2020: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Malden Community Center, 607 North Douglass Street

Ripley County

• Doniphan

3/19/2020: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Lone Star Elementary School, HCR 7 Box 51

Stoddard County

• Dexter

3/20/2020: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Dexter High School, 1101 West Grant

3/24/2020: 2:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., United Methodist Church, 501 South Walnut

Wayne County

• Greenville

3/25/2020: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Greenville High School, 178 Walnut Street