As summer winds down, the American Red Cross urges individuals to give blood now and help end an emergency summer blood shortage that began last month.

A critical need remains as many regular donors delay giving to take final summer vacations and prepare for school to start. To ensure lifesaving treatments remain available for patients in the coming weeks, donations are needed now, especially type O.

In thanks for helping at this urgent time, all those who come to donate blood or platelets from July 30 through Aug. 30, will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email, though some restrictions do apply.

Those interested can make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Those who donated blood earlier this summer may be eligible to give again. Blood can be safely given every 56 days, and Power Red donations can be given every 16 weeks.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Aug. 16-31

Berrien County:

St. Joseph

• 11 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Aug. 22, at Caretel Inns of Lakeland, 3905 Lorraine Path

• 11 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Aug. 29, at Silver Beach Center, 333 Broad St.

Berrien Springs

• 11 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Aug. 23, at Village Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 635 St. Joseph Ave

Three Oaks

• Noon to 5:45 p.m., American Legion Three Oaks, 200 W Linden St.

Eau Claire

• 11 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Aug. 29, at Eau Claire District Library, 6528 E Main St.

Cass County

Edwardsburg

• 1 to 5:45 p.m. Aug. 20, at the Edwardsburg American Legion, 25751 US 12

Cassopolis

• Noon to 5:45 p.m. Aug. 28, at Pleasant View Church of Christ, 60550 Crooked Creek Road

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, visit RedCross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.