NEW ULM — With many regular donors delaying giving to take final summer vacations and prepare for school to start, the American Red Cross has an emergency need for blood and platelet donations to help end a summer blood shortage.

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.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities include:

Aug. 28: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Parker Hannifin, 2101 N. Broadway

Aug. 28: 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Sleepy Eye Event Center, 110 12th Ave. NE

Aug. 21: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Nicollet American Legion, 715 3rd St.

Aug. 19: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Tanker Bay Sports Bar, 102 N. Carver St. Winthrop