WILKES-BARRE — The American Red Cross is calling for all eligible blood and platelet donors to make an appointment to give to help offset the weather-related shortfall in donations.

More than 100 Red Cross blood drives across the eastern United States were canceled due to extreme winter conditions. These cancellations resulted in a shortfall of nearly 4,500 blood and platelet donations on March 14 alone.

“The need for blood does not get a snow day,” said Alana Mauger, communications manager for the Penn Jersey Blood Services Region “For those in storm-affected areas, please come out to donate when travel is safe. For those in unaffected areas, please help restock the blood shelves for patients now.”

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

• Wilkes Barre Blood Donation Center, 29 New Commerce Blvd, Ashley; Mondays: 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesdays: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Fridays: 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays: 7:30 a.m.to- 2:30 p.m.

• March 16: Dallas American Legion, 730 Memorial Highway, Dallas; 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.,

• March 17: Thomas P. Saxton Medical Pavilion, 468 Northampton St., Edwardsville; 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

• March 21: VFW Post 4909, 403 Main St., Dupont, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

• March 18: Christ United Methodist Church, 175 S. Main Road, Mountain Top; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• March 18: East End Primitive Methodist Church, 79 Laurel St., Wilkes-Barre; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• March 27: Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 1111 East End Blvd., Wilkes-Barre; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• March 20: Hazleton Chapter House, 165 Susquehanna Blvd., West Hazleton, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

• March 24: The Laurel Mall, 106 Laurel Mall, Hazle Township; 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

How to donate blood

• Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, 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 in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), 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 and follow the instructions on the site.

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By Bill O’Boyle

boboyle@timesleader.com

Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.