The American Red Cross asks eligible donors to help ensure blood is available for patients in need by giving blood in May and June before the busy summer season kicks in.

Blood and platelet donations often decrease when regular donors are vacationing and school is out of session, but the need for blood is constant. Donors are needed in the weeks leading up to summer to help alleviate this seasonal decline.

Donors of all blood types – especially those with types O negative, A negative and B negative – are needed to help ensure blood is available for patients this spring.

World Blood Donor Day is June 14.

To make an appointment to give blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-733-2767.

 Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Austin

•May 29: 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Mower County Government Center, 201 First St. NE

•June 1: 1 p.m.-7 p.m., Corcoran Center, 2001 Second Ave. NW

•June 2: 12 p.m.-6 p.m., Corcoran Center, 2001 Second Ave. NW

•June 3: 12 p.m.-6 p.m., Corcoran Center, 2001 Second Ave. NW

•June 4: 12 p.m.-6 p.m., St. Olaf’s Lutheran Church, 306 Second St. NW

•June 5: 1 p.m.-7 p.m., Mower County Senior Citizens Center, 400 Third Ave. NE

 Brownsdale

•May 26: 2 p.m.-7 p.m., Our Savior Lutheran Church, 411 W. Main St.

 Dexter

•May 28: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., United Methodist Church, 230 Pleasant St.

 LeRoy

•May 27: 1 p.m.-7 p.m., Community Center, 204 W. Main St.