While thousands of donors have rolled up a sleeve this summer, blood and platelet donations aren’t keeping pace with patient needs. More donations are urgently needed to replenish the blood supply and be prepared for patient emergencies.

Make an appointment to donate blood now 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. 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 112 days.

With the help of a $1 million donation from Amazon, the Red Cross is thanking those who help overcome the shortage by coming to give through Aug. 29 with a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email. (Restrictions apply; see amazon.com/gc-legal. More information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.)

Upcoming blood donation opportunities include:

Jasper County

Wheatfield

Aug. 29: 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Kankakee Valley High School, 3923 Ind. 10.

Aug. 31: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wheatfield Library, 350 S. Bierma St.

La Porte County

LaPorte

Aug. 26: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Laporte Hospital, 1007 W. Lincolnway

Michigan City

Aug. 21: 2-6 p.m., St. Stanislaus, 1506 Washington St.

Aug. 22: 3-7 p.m., Immanuel Lutheran, 1237 E. Coolspring Ave.

Aug. 23: 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Palko Services, 4991 W. US  20

Aug. 28: 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Michigan City Fire Training Center, 2510 E. Michigan Blvd.

Aug. 29: 7:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m., A.K. Smith Career Center, 817 Lafayette St.

Lake County

Griffith

Aug. 22: 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Griffith First Christian Church, 202 W. Pine St.

Hammond

Aug. 24: 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Cabela's, 7700 Cabela Drive

Aug. 25: 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., First Baptist Church, 484 Oakley Ave., Building T

Aug. 27: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Hammond Police Department, 509 E. Douglas St.

Highland

Aug. 23: 1-7 p.m., Illiana Islamic Association, 9606 Spring St.

Hobart

Aug. 17: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Hobart Family YMCA, 601 W. 40th Place

Aug. 26: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Miller's Merry Manor, 2901 W. 37th Ave.

Aug. 26: 2:30-6:30 p.m., Hobart Community Center, 111 E. Old Ridge Road

Aug. 28: 2-7 p.m., Hobart High School, 2211 E. 10th St.

Lowell

Aug. 29: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Cedar Creek Health Campus, 18275 Burr St.

Merrillville

Aug. 26: Noon to 5 p.m., Merrillville Blood Donation Center, 791 E. 83rd Ave.

Aug. 29: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Centier Bank, 600 E. 84th Ave.

Whiting

Aug. 27: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Whiting High School, 1751 Oliver St.

Porter County

Portage

Aug. 26: 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., St. Peter Lutheran Church, 6540 Central Ave.

Valparaiso

Aug. 21: 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Porter Starke Services, 701 Wall St.

Aug. 21: 3:30-6:30 p.m., Indiana Furniture, 1807 E. Lincolnway

Aug. 27: 1-6 p.m., Christ Lutheran Church, 2610 North Campbell

Aug. 30: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Valparaiso Public Library, 103 Jefferson St.

Aug. 30: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Ivy Tech Community College, 3100 Ivy Tech Drive

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. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. 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.