The American Red Cross is in dire need of blood and platelet donors due to recent surges in COVID-19 limiting the amount of donors in recent weeks. 

Spokesman for the American Red Cross Joe Zydlo says school blood drives make up a large percentage of collection efforts, but that has not been the case as of late. 

The Red Cross must collect approximately 14,000 blood and platelet donations every day for patients at 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide. 

In Pana, there’s a blood drive from 1 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, October 27th at First United Methodist Church in the Fellowship Hall at 619 Kitchen Street. Contact Melisa Rybolt at 217-562-6397 to schedule your donation. 

While in Morrisonville, the American Legion is hosting a Community Blood Drive from 2 to 7 p.m. Wednesday October 27th at the Legion Hall at 607 Ricks Street. It’s also sponsored by the Morrisonville Knights of Columbus, First Presbyterian Church, Morrisonville High School National Honor Society and Casey’s of Morrisionville. To roll up your sleeve in Morrisonville, contact ImpactLife Springfield at 800-747-5401.

Donors must be 17 years of age or 16 with a parental consent form. They must also be at least 110 pounds with a photo ID. Those who gave blood on or before September 1st of this year are eligible to donate. More information about eligibility at bloodcenter.org. 

All donors will receive either a Retro-style T-shirt or a $5 gift certificate redeemable at Amazon, Target, Starbucks, Lowe’s or Walmart.