The American Red Cross is calling on people to donate blood after recent winter storms forced the cancellation of over 270 blood drives in Minnesota. This resulted in over 9,500 uncollected blood and platelet donations in the first two weeks of March.

Residents of Mower County will have several opportunities to donate blood over the next few weeks. Those dates are:

• March 22 — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Primrose Retirement Communities in Austin;

• March 22 — 2-7 p.m. at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Brownsdale;

• March 23 — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Mayo Clinic Health System in Austin;

• March 23 — 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Community Center in LeRoy;

• April 2 — noon to 6 p.m. at the Austin Holiday Inn;

• April 5 — 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Good Samaritan Society in Austin;

• April 12 — 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Family Video in Austin; and

• April 13 — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Sterling Drug in Austin

To make an appointment, call 1-800-733-2767, visit redcrossblood.org or download the free Red Cross Blood Donor app. Have a photo ID or your Red Cross donor card available at your appointment. Please inform them if you are unable to make your appointment.