As the busy Fourth of July holiday week gets closer, the American Red Cross asks donors to celebrate by making a blood or platelet donation appointment to help power the blood supply through mid-summer. While all blood types are needed, donors with type O blood are most urgently needed.

Making and keeping donation appointments now is critical to ensuring blood products are available for all patients – including those in trauma situations that may require several lifesaving transfusions – in the weeks to come. Type O negative blood is often reached for in emergencies when there isn’t time to match a patient’s blood type. Type O positive is the most common blood type, so it’s important to keep type O blood and all blood types on hand at hospitals for people facing both chronic illness and sudden, life-threatening conditions.

Don’t wait – add a blood or platelet donation appointment to your summer calendar today by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.  

The Red Cross and goodr are joining forces in July to remind donors they’re just the type patients can count on. All who come to give July 1-14, 2025, will get an exclusive pair of Red Cross x goodr sunglasses, while supplies last. Donors can personalize their one-of-a-kind shades with a blood type sticker! For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/goodr.

Or, those who make it in to give by June 30, 2025, will get a $15 Amazon.com Gift Card by email, plus be automatically entered to win one of two $7,000 gift cards. See RedCrossBlood.org/June.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities June 23-July 14: 

Hardin

Kenton

6/26/2025: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Hardin County Coonhunters Club, 21623 Co Rd 144

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Marion

Marion

6/28/2025: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., The Alber Red Cross Center, 1849 Summerset Drive

7/1/2025: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Ohio Health Marion  General Hospital, 1000 McKinley Park Dr

7/2/2025: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., The Alber Red Cross Center, 1849 Summerset Drive

7/10/2025: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., The Alber Red Cross Center, 1849 Summerset Drive

Waldo

6/30/2025: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Fort Morrow Fire Department, 306 N Marion St

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Union

Marysville

6/27/2025: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Union County Family YMCA, 1150 Charles Lane

7/1/2025: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Cornerstone Global Methodist Church, 207 South Court Street

7/8/2025: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 311 E. 6th St.

7/9/2025: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Union County Family YMCA, 1150 Charles Lane

7/11/2025: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Marysville Public Library, 231 S. Plum St

Raymond

7/12/2025: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Liberty Township Community Hall, 21463 OH-347

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How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device 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 and platelet donors can 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, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.