Share your strength: Give blood or platelets with Red Cross

Exclusive ‘Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,’ Red Cross T-shirt for coming to give through April 7

Submitted by the American Red Cross

This spring, the American Red Cross asks donors to help defend the blood supply by giving blood or platelets now to combat a monstrous fact: only 3 out of 100 people donate blood.

That’s why we’re teaming up with Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures to celebrate the epic new film, “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,” and inviting donors to rise together and give blood. When donors share their strength by coming to give March 25-April 7, they’ll get an exclusive “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” and Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last. (Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/GXK.)

In recent weeks, the Red Cross has seen an encouraging increase in the blood supply, but blood and platelet donation appointments remain vital this month. People of all blood types – especially those with type O blood – are critical to ensuring hospital shelves can be replenished as soon as possible.

To book a time to give, visit RedCrossBlood.org, download the Red Cross blood donor app, or call 1-800-RED CROSS. Additionally, all who come to give April 8-28 will get a $10 e-gift card to a merchant of choice, plus be automatically entered for a chance to win one of two $7,000 gift cards. Visit RedCrossBlood.org/Spring for details.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Erie County

•Akron

• April 4: 1:30-6 p.m., American Legion L L Tillman Post 900, 9 Eckerson Ave.

•Buffalo

• March 27: 12:30-5:30 p.m., Kenilworth Fire Dept Co. No. 1, 84 Hawthorne Ave.
• March 28: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Mercy Hospital, 565 Abbott Road
• March 30: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., McKinley Mall, 3701 McKinley Parkway
• April 3: 12:30-5:30 p.m., Kenilworth Fire Dept Co. No. 1, 84 Hawthorne Ave.
• April 10: 12:30-5:30 p.m., Kenilworth Fire Dept Co. No. 1, 84 Hawthorne Ave.
• April 10: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., WNY Chapter, 786 Delaware Ave.

•Derby

• March 27: noon to 5 p.m., American Legion Newcomb Long Post 928, 7353 Erie Road

•East Aurora

• April 2: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., East Aurora Moose Lodge 370, 905 Main St.

•Hamburg

• March 25: 1:30-6:30 p.m., Hamburg Public Library, 102 Buffalo St.
• April 9: 1-6 p.m., VFW Post 1419 Hamburg, 2985 Lakeview Road
• April 11: 12:30-5:30 p.m., Revive Wesleyan, 4999 McKinley Parkway

•Lackawanna

• April 2: noon to 5 p.m., VFW Post 898, 2909 S. Park Ave.

•Orchard Park

• March 29: noon to 5:30 p.m., Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School, S3148 Abbott Road

•Tonawanda

• April 6: 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Church of the Nativity, 1530 Colvin Blvd.

•West Seneca

• April 9: 1-6 p.m., Union Fire Co., 1845 Union Road

Niagara County

•Lockport

• April 9: 1-6 p.m., The Dale Association Inc., 33 Ontario St.

•Newfane

• April 15: 12:30-6 p.m., Newfane Town Hall Community Center, 2737 Main St.

•Niagara Falls

• March 26: 1-6 p.m., Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls USA, 1900 Military Road

•Youngstown

• March 26: 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Youngstown Firehall, 625 Third St.

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.

More About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit on X/Twitter at @RedCross.