November is a time to give thanks and celebrate Veterans Day.  The American Red Cross would like to invite eligible donors to give blood and honor those who have served the country in the U.S. armed forces.

The Red Cross serves more than 3,000 hospitals nationwide, including many Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers. Currently, all blood types are needed, especially O negative, B negative and A negative. Type O negative, the universal blood type, can potentially be transfused to patients with any blood type, especially in emergency situations.

Another way to honor military personnel is by making a contribution to support Service to the Armed Forces, a Red Cross program that offers resources for deployed service members and their families, provides emergency communications, and supports hospital outreach and veterans programs. Learn more at redcross.org.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities are at the following locations:

*Butler County
Nov. 2 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Poplar Bluff High School, 1300 Victory Lane in Poplar Bluff, Mo.

*Cape Girardeau County
Nov. 4 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 804 N. Cape Rock Drive in Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Nov. 5 from 2-6 p.m. at Nell Holcomb School, 6547 State Highway 177 in Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Nov. 6 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Do It Best, 5422 Nash Road in Cape Girardeau, Mo.

*Stoddard County
Nov. 1 from 12:30-6:30 p.m. at Stoddard County Ambulance District, 501 W. Business Highway 60 in Dexter, Mo.

*Dunklin County
Nov. 7 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Senath Hornersville High School, 800 State St. in Senath, Mo.
Nov. 15 from 3-7 p.m. at Malden Elementary School, 505 Burkhart in Malden, Mo.

If you would like to donate blood simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org 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 (16 with parental consent in some states), 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.

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds, and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood, teaches skills that save lives, provides international humanitarian aid, and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org