Editor’s note: This event has already taken place.

ALBANY­–As the Fourth of July holiday week gets closer, the American Red Cross asks donors to make a blood or platelets donation appointment to help power the blood supply through mid-summer. While all blood types are needed, donors with type O blood are most urgently needed. Making and keeping donation appointments now is critical to ensuring blood products are available for all patients— including those in trauma situations that may require several lifesaving transfusions. Type O negative blood is often reached for in emergencies when there isn’t time to match a patient’s blood type. Type O positive is the most common blood type, so it’s important to keep type O blood and all blood types on hand at hospitals for people facing both chronic illness and sudden, life-threatening conditions.

Donation appointments may be made by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood DonorApp. All who come to give July 1-14, 2025, will get an exclusive pair of Red Cross x goodr sunglasses, while supplies last. Donors can personalize their one-of-a-kind shades with a blood type sticker! Those donate by by June 30 will get a $15 Amazon.com gift card by e-mail, plus be automatically entered to win one of two $7,000 gift cards.