With the holiday season here and schedules quickly filling with work, family, and friend obligations, blood donations can take a dip in the winter. Give the gift of life this holiday season by giving the gift of blood. Take a look at these upcoming donation opportunities in our area. 

“While many of us gather with friends and family this time of year, patients may spend the holidays in a hospital room,” said Nick Gehrig, communications director for Red Cross Blood Services. “The need for blood doesn’t take a break for the holidays. Please make an appointment to give the most meaningful gift of all – the gift of life through a blood or platelet donation.”

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Blue Earth County
Mankato
December 6: 10:30AM to 3:30PM, Mayo Clinic Health System, 1025 Marsh
December 8: 12:30-5:30PM, American Red Cross, 105 Homestead Drive
December 9: 9AM to 1PM, American Red Cross, 105 Homestead Drive

Carver County
Chanhassen
December 13: 9AM to 3PM, City Hall, 7700 Market Blvd.
D12/13/2016: noon to 6PM, Chanhassen Rec Center, 2310 Coulter Blvd.

Waconia
December 12: 1-7PM, Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, 800 Waconia Parkway N.

Watertown
December 12: noon to 6PM, Community Center, 309 Lewis Ave. S.

Freeborn County
Albert Lea
December 8: 1-7PM, United Methodist Church, 702 Highway 69 South

Goodhue County
Cannon Falls
December 6: 1-7PM, St. Pius V Catholic Church-Cannon Falls, 410 W. Colville

Kenyon
December 5: 1-7PM, St. Michaels Catholic Church, 108 Bullis St.

Red Wing
December 13: noon to 6PM, First Covenant Church, 2302 Twin Bluff Road

Martin County
Fairmont
December 6: 1-7PM, Holiday Inn, 1201 Torgerson Drive
December 7: noon to 6PM, Holiday Inn, 1201 Torgerson Drive
December 8: 9AM to 2PM, Holiday Inn, 1201 Torgerson Drive

Nicollet County
Nicollet
December 12: 1-7PM, American Legion, 715 Third St.

Rice County
Faribault
December 7: 12:30-6:30PM, Eagles Club, 2027 W. Grant St.
December 8: 8:30AM to 1:30PM, Eagles Club, 2027 W. Grant St.
December 9: 1-7PM, Trinity Lutheran Church, 530 N.W. Fourth St.
December 13: 1-7PM, District One Hospital, 200 State Ave.

Northfield
December 9: 8AM to 1PM, Northfield Hospital, 2000 North Ave.
December 15: 9AM to 3PM, Northfield Area Family YMCA, 1501 Honeylocust Drive

Steele County
Owatonna
December 10: 10AM to 4PM, Hy-Vee, 1620 S. Cedar
Decmeber 13: 11AM to 5PM, Buffalo Wild Wings, 1100 Frontage Road

Waseca County
Waldorf
December 6: noon to 6PM, Community Center, 109 S. Main St.

Waseca
December 5: noon to 6PM, American Legion, 700 S. State St.

Winona County
Winona
December 7: noon to 6PM, Express Suites River Port Inn, 900 Bruski Drive
December 8: 1-6PM, Watkins Manor, 175 E. Wabasha
December 12: noon to 6PM, American Legion Post #9, 302 East Sarnia
December 14: 11AM to 5PM, Winona Armory, 1303 Homer Road

Donating doesn’t take very long, can make a huge impact for the recipient and there are a lot of opportunities right in our area. In addition to stopping into one of the upcoming blood drives listed, you can get the Red Cross Blood Donor app, go online to redcrossblood.org, or call (800) RED-CROSS to schedule an appointment or learn more.

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