Blood, platelet donations are still needed during summer

As families head out on road trips for their long-awaited summer vacations, many potential donors may not have time to give essential blood and platelets for patients.

The Red Cross is now giving extra incentives for people to donate, according to redcrossblood.org. Through Sunday, donors will get a $5 Amazon.com gift card courtesy of Suburban Propane. Donors can also be entered through July 8 for a chance to win a trip for four to Cedar Point in Ohio or Knott's Berry Farm in California in 2018. To enter, visit redcrossblood.org.

Giving blood is easier than ever with Red Cross' RapidPass, which the site says will take about 10 to 15 minutes and will save donors time before their appointment by enabling them to fill out answers to health questions and read pre-donation instructions. Donors can then print their RapidPass or download or email it to themselves on a mobile device to bring with them to the appointment.

To be eligible to donate blood, you must be in good health and feeling well on the day of the appointment and must be at least 16 in most states and weigh 110 pounds. Donors can make a blood donation every 56 days.

To donate platelets, you must be in good health and feeling well on the day of the appointment, must be at least 17 years old in most states and weigh at least 110 pounds. Platelet donors can give every seven days.

To make an appointment and possibly save up to three lives, visit redcrossblood.org, call 1-800--RED CROSS (1-800--733-2767) or download the Blood Donor App for free on iPhone and Android devices. Through the app, donors can keep track of their donations, get blood shortage alerts and even be notified when their donation is on its way to a patient. They can also complete their RapidPass through the app.

Blood drives

- Today, 2-6 p.m. - Lake Swamp Baptist Church, 6558 Oates Highway, Timmonsville

- Thursday, June 14, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. - South Carolina Cotton Museum, 121 W. Cedar Lane, Bishopville

- Friday, June 15, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Component Maintenance Squadron, Shaw Air Force Base, 558 Killian Ave., 20 CMS Squadron Building