The American Red Cross is experiencing a severe blood shortage and Melanie Tschida, Executive Director, American Red Cross Southeast Minnesota, says the holiday season is a great time to help out and donate blood.
Tschida says donating blood is safe and encourages people to give.
Tschida says one easy way to schedule your blood donation ahead of time with the Red Cross APP which saves time when you get to the donation site.
To download the free APP, go to www.redcrossblood.org.
To schedule a blood donation, go online to redcross.org and enter your zip code to see the closest blood drive or Red Cross location.