(westernkansasnews.com) Everyone is aware of the critical need to donate blood, but as the holidays approach there is an even greater urgency.

Jan Hale with the American Red Cross on why attracting donors is so important now.

If you have not donated in the last 56 days, you can give again. 

Upcoming blood drives

_______________

Clark

Ashland

12/9/2014: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., United Methodist Church, 310 N. Main

_______________

Comanche

Protection

12/12/2014: 2 p.m. – 5 p.m., Legion Hall, 335 N. Broadway

_______________

Edwards

Kinsley

12/8/2014: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Edwards County Fair Building, 1305 S Niles

_______________

Finney

Garden City

12/2/2014: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., YMCA, 1224 Center Street

_______________

Ford

Dodge City

12/3/2014: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., YMCA, 240 San Jose

_______________

Gray

Cimarron

12/8/2014: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Gray County Rec Center, 17002 Highway 50

Montezuma

12/10/2014: 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Morningside Community Church, 100 N Apache

_______________

Greeley

Tribune

12/10/2014: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., 4-H Building, 905 Ingalls Ave.

_______________

Kearny

Lakin

12/9/2014: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Veterans Memorial Building, 209 N Main

_______________

Meade

Meade

12/11/2014: 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., St John Forst Center, 500 W. Carthage

Stanton

Johnson City

12/10/2014: 12:30 p.m. – 5 p.m., 4-H Building, 702 S. Knox

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. 

Logo used with permission

*On-air story*