Chances to Do Good, Give Blood in Putnam, Westchester

There are about 39,000 units of blood needed each day in hospitals and emergency treatment facilities throughout the country for patients with cancer and other illnesses, requiring surgery, in need of organ transplants and recovering from an accident or other trauma, according to the American Red Cross.

In the New York-Penn Blood Service region, the organization needs to collect approximately 1,000 units of blood each day to meet the needs of patients.

But giving slows during the summer.

To fill the gap, there are blood drives in several places through the end of July. Pick one near you. Walk-ins are usually welcome, but to make an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit www.redcrossblood.org

• July 16: Putnam Hospital Center, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Michael T. Weber Conference Room 2, 670 Stoneleigh Ave. The drive is open to Putnam Hospital Center employees and the general public.
• July 17: New Rochelle, 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., New Rochelle Public Library, One Library Plaza, Lawton Street
• July 21: Mount Kisco: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Mount Kisco Public Library, 100 East Main Street
• July 23: Yonkers, 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Outback Steakhouse, 1701 Central Park Ave
• July 25: Mount Kisco, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Suburban Propane, 25 Kensico Drive
• July 29: Mamaroneck, 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Columbia Engine and Hose Company 2, 601 N Barry Ave.