Celebrate National Volunteer Month, Donate Blood April 25

Volunteer donors are the only source of blood for patients in need of transfusions. Here are some upcoming blood donation opportunities in Westchester:

• Chappaqua: 4/25/2015: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Church of St Mary the Virgin, 191 South Greely Ave
• Cortlandt Manor: 4/21/2015: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Fieldhome, 2300 Catherine Street
• Mamaroneck: 4/25/2015: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., St Johns Lutheran Church, 122 Fenimore Rd.
• New Rochelle: 4/23/2015: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Iona College, 715 North Avenue
• Scarsdale: 4/23/2015: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., American Legion Hall, 40 Bell Road
• White Plains: 4/17/2015: 11:30 a.m. - 4:45 p.m., White Plains Presbyterian Church, 39 North Broadway
• Yonkers: 4/16/2015: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Outback Steakhouse, 1701 Central Park Ave

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visitredcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information.

To ensure a reliable supply for patients, donors with all blood types are needed, especially those with types O negative, A negative and B negative. Whole blood can be donated every 56 days, and double red cells may be donated every 112 days, up to three times per year.

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.