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The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to make an appointment to give blood and help save lives in honor of World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day.

Each year, the local and global impact of the Red Cross mission is celebrated on May 8, the birthday of International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement founder Henry Dunant.

Currently, donors of all blood types are needed to give and help save hospital patients’ lives. Every day, the Red Cross must collect approximately 14,000 blood donations to meet the needs of patients across the country.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities in our area:

FAYETTE COUNTY

Connellsville

5/14/2016: 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., Pleasant Valley Masonic Lodge, Route 982, 530 Pleasant Valley Rd.

Uniontown

5/3/2016: 12:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., Fireman's Social Hall, 58 Dunbar St.

5/12/2016: 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., PennDOT, 825 North Gallatin Ave.

WASHINGTON COUNTY

Canonsburg

5/11/2016: 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., The Greenery Specialty Care Center, 2200 Hill Church Houston Rd.

WESTMORELAND COUNTY

Greensburg

5/11/2016: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Greensburg Blood Donation Center, 351 Harvey Ave.

Monessen

5/13/2016: 12:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., Monessen Senior Community Center, 1925 Grand Blvd.

 How to donate blood

Visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in.

Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass.