During Liver Awareness Month in October, the American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give blood to support patients undergoing liver and other types of transplants. Liver transplants are the second most common transplant type in the United States and a single transplant patient may need more than 30 units of blood products, according to a press release.

Blood donors are needed to help ensure all patients are able to receive blood whenever and wherever the need arises. Upcoming blood donation opportunities are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 5 at Riverland Community College; noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 6 at Northbridge Mall; and 1 to 7 p.m. Oct. 9 at Calvary Baptist Church.