The American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood donations to prevent another blood shortage as hospitals resume surgical procedures and patient treatments that were temporarily paused earlier this spring in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Several blood drives will be held in the coming weeks, including the following:

¯ 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Jamestown American Red Cross chapter office, 325 E. Fourth St., Jamestown;

¯ 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 30 at the West Dunkirk Fire Department, 4741 Willow Road, Dunkirk;

¯ 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 3 at Christ Community Church, 219 Berry Road, Fredonia;

¯ 2 to 8 p.m. June 3 at the Stanley Hose Company, 122 Park St., Sherman.

¯ 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. June 4 at the Jamestown American Red Cross chapter office, 325 E. Fourth St., Jamestown;

¯ noon to 5 p.m. June 5 at the Cassadaga Fire Hall, 22 Mill St., Cassadaga;

¯ 2 to 8 p.m. June 10 at the Panama United Methodist Church, 12 E Main St., Panama;

¯ 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. June 11 at the Jamestown American Red Cross chapter office, 325 E. Fourth St., Jamestown;

¯ 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 12 at the Chautauqua Mall, 318 E Fairmount Ave., Lakewood; and

¯ noon to 6 p.m. June 15 at the Blessed Mary Angela Roman Catholic Parish, 324 Townsend St., Dunkirk.

Healthy individuals who are feeling well are asked to make an appointment to donate in the weeks and months ahead by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App at www.redcrossblood.org/blood-donor-app.html, visiting RedCrossBlood.org at www.redcrossblood.org, calling 800-733-2767 or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

In recent weeks, hospital demand for blood products has grown by 30% after sharply declining in early April amid this rapidly changing and complex public health crisis. At the same time, blood drives continue to be canceled as many businesses and community organizations remain closed. Donors are needed to make and keep scheduled appointments to help meet the current need.

All those who come to give through May 31 will receive a special Red Cross T-shirt by mail, while supplies last. Those who come to give June 1-30 will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email.

“Blood donors have played a vital role in the lives of patients who have needed lifesaving transfusions during this pandemic, and patients continue to depend on donors each and every day,” said Paul Sullivan, senior vice president, Red Cross Blood Services. “The Red Cross appreciates the support of those who rolled up a sleeve to give in recent months, but the need doesn’t stop. We need the public’s help to avoid another blood shortage this summer.”

Red blood cells must be transfused within 42 days of donation and platelets within just five days. So, they must constantly be replenished. There is no known end date in this fight against coronavirus.

Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff have been implemented to ensure the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.