SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN — The American Red Cross is seeking blood and platelet donations this March in celebration of Red Cross Month. Donors of all blood types, especially type O, are urgently needed to help ensure blood is available for patients this spring, staff said.

Every day, thousands of patients depend on blood donations to help save their lives — patients like Heath Cornford who spent his first 217 days of life in the hospital. Born in February 2018 with an abnormal narrowing of the heart, Heath has undergone many complex surgeries – including a heart transplant – and required a number of blood transfusions.

Upcoming area opportunities include the following:

• Noon to 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, March 10 at Buchanan American Legion, 403. E Front St., Buchanan.

• 1 to 5:45 p.m. Monday, March, 2 Edwardsburg American Legion, 25751 US-12, Edwardsburg.

“I can’t tell you how thankful we are for the life-saving donations that saved our son,” said Mylinda Cornford, a mother of someone who received blood transfusions. “Blood is something you can donate for free. You can make an impact, save a life and give back to your community.”

Staff said people can make an appointment now by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1 (800) 733-2767 or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.