Red Cross seeks blood donations

The American Red Cross urges donors to make an appointment to give lifesaving blood in the new year to help keep the blood supply strong this winter. Venues in Ronan, Polson and Pablo offer donation opportunities from Jan.  9-21.

Type O negative blood donors and those giving platelets are especially urged to give now to keep critical blood products on the shelves for patients in need.

According a press release, the start of a new year is one of the most challenging times to collect blood products as the threat of severe winter weather builds and can often lead to widespread blood drive cancellations. Additionally, an active cold and flu season may prevent people from keeping donation appointments as they rest and recover from illness.

For the sixth year, the Red Cross and the National Football League (NFL) are partnering in January for National Blood Donor Month. As a special thank-you to donors for helping address the need for blood during the critical post-holiday time, those who donate Jan. 1-26 will be automatically entered for a chance to win a Super Bowl LIX giveaway.

The trip includes access to day of in-stadium pre-game activities, tickets to the official Super Bowl Experience, round-trip airfare, three-night hotel accommodations (Feb. 7-10, 2025), plus a $1,000 gift card for expenses. For full details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities in Lake County: 

Polson: 9:30 a.m.-2:45 p.m. Jan. 9 at Showboat Stadium 6, 416 Main St.; 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Jan. 10 at

Mission Mountain Empowerment, 4 Seventh Ave. E.; and noon-5:15 p.m. Jan. 21 at New Life Church, 1414 Second St. W.

Ronan: 11 a.m.-4:45 p.m. Jan. 9 at St. Luke Community Hospital, 107 Sixth Ave. S.W.

Pablo: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 15, Mission Valley Power, 65 Pablo West Road

To book a time to give, visit RedCrossBlood.org, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or call 1-800-RED CROSS.