Give Thanks By Giving Blood Through The Red Cross This Holiday Season

The American Red Cross asks eligible donors to make an appointment to give blood to help ensure sufficient blood supplies are available for patients this holiday season.

Blood donations often decline during the holidays when donors get busy with travel and family gatherings, but the need for blood remains steady. Someone in the U.S. needs blood every two seconds.

Eligible donors with all types are needed, especially those with O negative, A negative and B negative. To learn more about donating blood and to schedule an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

As extra encouragement to donate blood during the busiest time of November for many people, presenting blood donors from Nov. 26 through Nov. 30 will receive a limited-edition Red Cross potholder stuffed with unique celebrity chef recipes, while supplies last. Thanksgiving recipes are courtesy of Mario Batali, Rocco DiSpirito, Alex Guarnaschelli and Mike Isabella.

11/18/2014: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St. San Jose

11/18/2014: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Church of the Chimes, 1447 Bryan Ave. San Jose

11/19/2014: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St. San Jose

11/20/2014: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St. San Jose

11/20/2014: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Advent Lutheran Church, 16870 Murphy Ave. Morgan Hill

11/21/2014: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St. San Jose

11/22/2014: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St. San Jose

11/24/2014: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St. San Jose

11/25/2014: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St. San Jose

11/26/2014: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St. San Jose

11/28/2014: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St. San Jose

11/29/2014: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St. San Jose

11/29/2014: 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Milpitas Public Library, 160 North Main St. Milpitas

12/1/2014: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Morgan Hill Presbyterian Church, 16970 DeWitt Ave. Morgan Hill

12/1/2014: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St. San Jose

12/2/2014: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St. San Jose

12/2/2014: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, 751 South Bascom Ave. San Jose

12/3/2014: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St. San Jose

12/4/2014: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St. San Jose

12/5/2014: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St. San Jose

12/6/2014: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St. San Jose

12/6/2014: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Stone Church of Willow Glen, 1937 Lincoln Ave San Jose

12/8/2014: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St. San Jose

12/9/2014: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Google/Crittenden 1300, 1300 Crittenden Ln. Mountain View

12/9/2014: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St. San Jose

12/9/2014: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., LDS Morgan Hill, 1790 E. Dunne Ave. Morgan Hill

12/10/2014: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Google, 1950 Charleston Dr. Mountain View

12/10/2014: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St. San Jose

12/11/2014: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St. San Jose

12/11/2014: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 12770 Saratoga Ave. Saratoga

12/12/2014: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, 2020 E San Antonio St San Jose

12/12/2014: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St. San Jose

12/13/2014: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., The Potter’s House Church, 1350 Ridder Park Dr. San Jose

12/13/2014: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St. San Jose

12/15/2014: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St. San Jose

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 (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.