Blood donations save lives. The need for blood and platelet donations is urgent right now, according to the American Red Cross. If you’re looking for a way to make a difference, and are healthy and eligible, the Red Cross urges you to be a donor. Their safety protocols include:

• Enhanced disinfecting of surfaces and equipment 
• Providing hand sanitizer for use before entering and throughout the donation appointment
• Temperature checks before presenting donors enter the blood drive or donation center
• Following social distancing practices between donors including donor beds, as well as waiting and refreshment areas
• During this time, blankets typically used by platelet, Power Red and AB Elite donors at Red Cross blood donation centers will be laundered after each use, which may limit the availability. Donors are encouraged to bring their own blankets, but electric blankets and heating pads are not permitted.

Visit the Red Cross website to find upcoming local drives, which include the following locations:

Norwalk – Wednesday, June 10

St. Philip’s Church, 25 France St., Norwalk

1:00pm – 6:00pm

Ridgefield – Thursday, June 11

Ridgefield Park & Rec Center, 195 Danbury Road, Ridgefield

1:30pm – 7:00pm

Fairfield – Friday, June 12

Fairfield YMCA, 841 Old Post Road, Fairfield

11:00am – 4:00pm

Bethel – Friday, June 12

St. Mary’s Church, 24 Dodgingtown Road, Bethel

1:30pm – 6:30pm

Danbury – Tuesday, June 23

Danbury Fair Mall, 7 Backus Ave., Danbury

9:00am – 2:00pm

Newtown – Wednesday, June 24

Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West St., Newtown

12:00am – 4:00pm

Wilton – Monday, July 6

Wilton Congregational Church, 70 Ridgefield Road, Wilton

1:00pm – 6:15pm