The American Red Cross is facing a severe blood shortage and urgently needs blood and platelet donors to give now.

Red Cross Minnesota spokeswoman Sue Thesenga explained, “We are part of the north-central blood services region which is the entire state of Minnesota, western Wisconsin and eastern South Dakota. We need to collect on average 700 units of blood to meet patient and hospital’s needs.”

During September and October, the Red Cross collected 21,000 fewer blood and platelet donations than what hospitals need. Thesenga said blood is a perishable product, it can’t be stockpiled, and, “The only way we can replenish this is when our generous donors roll up a sleeve and give.”

Blood donation appointments can be made at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED-Cross.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Nov. 13-Dec. 15

Blue Earth

Madison Lake

11/21/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., All Saints Catholic Church, 601 4th St.

Mankato

11/13/2018: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Minnesota State University Student Union, 117 Centennial Student Union

11/16/2018: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Mankato East High School, 2600 Hoffman Road

11/19/2018: 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Christ the King Lutheran Church, 222 Pfau St.

11/27/2018: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Blue Earth County Library, 100 E. Main St.

11/30/2018: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Kato Public Charter School, 110 N. 6th St.

12/10/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Mayo Clinic Health System, 1025 Marsh

12/13/2018: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., American Red Cross, 105 Homestead Drive

12/14/2018: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., American Red Cross, 105 Homestead Drive

Mapleton

11/20/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Teresa’s Catholic Church, 102 Central Ave. N.

Saint Clair

12/7/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, 200 Front St.

Faribault

Blue Earth

11/19/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Hope United Methodist Church, 12080 380th Ave.

Le Sueur

Cleveland

11/28/2018: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Cleveland Public School, 400 6th St.

Le Sueur

11/23/2018: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Le Sueur Community Center, 821 E. Ferry St.

LeCenter

11/30/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., American Legion, 97 S. Park Ave.

Nicollet

Mankato

11/30/2018: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Crossview Covenant Church, 2000 Howard Drive W.

Nicollet

12/10/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., American Legion, 715 3rd St.

North Mankato

11/27/2018: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., South Central College, 1920 Lee Blvd.

Saint Peter

11/19/2018: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., St. Peter Regional Treatment Center, 100 Freeman Drive

12/13/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., First Lutheran Church, Sunrise Drive & Traverse Road

Waseca

Waldorf

12/13/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Community Center, 109 S. Main St.

Waseca

11/23/2018: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Family Video, 1101 2nd St. NE

12/3/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., American Legion, 700 S. State St.

Watonwan

St. James

11/22/2018: 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., National Guard Armory, 521 Armstrong Blvd. N.