With the holidays just around the corner, family and friends come together to share family traditions and the joy of the season. As people gather together and exchange gifts with loved ones, the American Red Cross asks eligible individuals to remember to share the gift of life with those in need this holiday season by giving blood.

“The blood supply is particularly vulnerable throughout the holiday season because donors are traveling to see family and friends and forget to make an appointment to donate blood,” said Dr. David Mair, interim CEO of the local Red Cross Blood Services North Central Region. “Winter weather can also affect blood donations. Giving blood now can help build the blood supply throughout the season, ensuring enough is on hand for patients with serious medical needs.”

Many blood donors have reasons for giving: friends and family members have received blood, blood donation is a way to give back to the community, the feeling of making a difference in the lives of others. Whatever your reason is for giving, when you give blood you play an extremely important role to help ensure a safe and adequate blood supply is available during the winter months. Take the time this holiday season and change a life, starting with your own.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities: Dec. 23 from 2 to 6 p.m. at Alden City Hall, 174 N Broadway, Alden.