Image courtesy Red Cross

The American Red Cross is asking for donors to give blood now to address a decline in donor turnout this fall. People of all blood types are encouraged to schedule an appointment at a Red Cross blood donation center or community blood drive to help hospitals care for patients during the busy holiday season.

From October 27 to November 16, 2025, donors will receive a $20 e-gift card to a choice of merchants and will be automatically entered for a chance to win one of three $5,000 prizes.

Logan Wright, regional communications coordinator for the American Red Cross, encourages first time donors to schedule an appointment.

Appointments can be scheduled online at RedCrossBlood.org, by calling 1-800-RED CROSS, or through the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

The Red Cross is also reminding communities that November is National Diabetes Awareness Month. During November, donors who successfully give blood will receive a free A1C test, commonly used to screen for prediabetes and diabetes. Each donor is eligible for one test in a 12-month period, and fasting is not required before donating.

More details are available at RedCrossBlood.org.