The American Red Cross needs people of all races and ethnicities to give blood to help ensure a blood supply as diverse as the patients who depend on it.

All blood types are needed to ensure that the right blood product is available at the right time for all patients.

Make an appointment to donate by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. Blood drives are also essential in helping ensure blood is available for patients this winter. To learn more and sign up to host a blood drive this fall or winter, visit RedCrossBlood.org/HostADrive.

Important COVID-19 information for donors

The Red Cross is testing blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies. The test may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to this coronavirus, regardless of whether they developed symptoms. Donors can expect to receive the results of their antibody test within 7 to 10 days through the Red Cross Blood Donor App or the donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.

The Red Cross is not testing donors to diagnose illness, referred to as a diagnostic test. To protect the health and safety of Red Cross staff and donors, it is important that individuals who do not feel well or believe they may be ill with COVID-19 postpone donation.

Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities through Sept. 30:

• Canton, Sept. 29, 1-6 p.m., Morley Wesleyan Church, 7254 County Road 27;

• Hammond, Sept. 30, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Hammond Presbyterian Church, 215 St Lawrence Ave.;

• Heuvelton, Sept. 26, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Pickens Hall & General Store, 83 State St.;

• Nicholville, Sept. 30, 12-5 p.m., Town of Hopkinton Town Hall, 15 Church St.;

• Ogdensburg, Sept. 21, 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Salvation Army, 401 Franklin St.;

• Potsdam, Sept. 22, 12:30-5:30 p.m., Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 21 Castle Dr,; Sept. 23, 12-6 p.m., Potsdam High School, 29 Leroy St.; Sept. 28, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Potsdam AmVets Post 282, 6771 U.S. Highway 11.

How to donate blood? Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.