Red Cross seeing urgent need for donations; Blood drive today in Columbus

The American Red Cross in Indiana is issuing an urgent call for blood and platelet donors as summer travel and rising temperatures threaten the area’s blood supply.

Officials report what they are calling an alarming drop in scheduled donations over the last few weeks. Anyone who gives blood between now and June 28th will receive a $15 e-gift card and will be automatically entered to win one of two $7,500 gift cards.

There are several local opportunities coming up to donate blood including:

• From 2 to 6 p.m. today at The Commons in downtown Columbus
• From noon to 5 p.m. on June 15th at the Senior Citizens Center in North Vernon.
• From 1 to 6 p.m. on June 22nd at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church on Fifth Street in Columbus.

You can schedule an appointment to give through the Red Cross Blood Donor App, by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).