CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – With summer coming around, the American Red Cross is encouraging the public to schedule their May donation appointment.

Year-end school ceremonies and celebration are expected to fill evenings and weekends. Patients are counting on donors to make blood donation a priority. Trauma Awareness Month is this May and it’s up to you to give blood or platelets to keep hospitals prepared during emergencies and all transfusion needs. Type O donors are especially needed right now.

  • Type O negative is the universal blood type and can be transfused to any person, no matter their blood type. This makes it essential in the most dire situations.

  • Type O positive blood is the most used blood type because it can be transfused to Rh-positive patients of any blood type.

  • Platelets are often needed to help with clotting in cases of massive bleeding.

Donors who come May 1 to 18 will receive a $20 e-gift card to a merchant of choice and those who come May 19 to 31 will receive an exclusive American Red Cross solar lantern, while supplies last. All those who come in may will also be entered a chance to win a U.S. trip of their choice for two. Full details can be found at RedCrossBlood.org/May.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities May 6-20

Champaign

Urbana
5/9/2025: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Urbana Rising Hope Church, 408 E. Illinois St