Blood donation opportunities in Fostoria and New Riegel

Donation opportunities are scheduled for later this month in New Riegel and Fostoria as the American Red Cross continues to experience a shortage of blood and platelets, a press release from the agency said.Donation sessions are scheduled for noon-6 p.m. July 27 at the New Riegel American Legion, 17 S. Perry St.; and noon-5:30 p.m., July 30 at Pantry Plus of Seneca County, 4481 N. U.S. 23.According to the news release, the Red Cross needs to collect more than 1,000 additional blood donations each day to meet the current demand as hospitals respond to an unusually high number of traumas and emergency-room visits, organ transplants and elective surgeries.All donors through July 31 will receive a $10 Amazon.com gift card via email and automatic entry for a chance to win gas for a year (a $5,000 value), the news release said. More information is available at rcblood.org/fuel.Also, all July donors will be automatically entered for a chance to win a trip for four to Cedar Point or Knott's Berry Farm. For more information, visit rcblood.org/CedarFair.Appointments to donate blood or platelets can be scheduled by using the Red Cross Blood Donor app, by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, by calling 1 (800) 733-2767 or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.The news release said most people who have received a COVID-19 vaccine can donate, but it is important to know the name of manufacturer of the vaccine to determine eligibility.For more information, visit redcross.org.