Blood donations decline during the winter months and the American Red Cross will be holding several blood drives in Livingston County to ensure a sufficient supply.

Winter storms and the flu don’t just mean a lot of people are missing work and school; it also means some can’t keep their blood and platelet donation appointments. The Red Cross is urging healthy donors of all blood types to give to help maintain the blood supply for patients in need.

In 2017, severe winter weather forced about 600 blood drives to cancel, resulting in more than 17,500 uncollected blood and platelet donations. A widespread case of the flu across the U.S. has also resulted in lower turnout at blood drives. Blood donation opportunities will be held in Brighton and Howell this month.

Appointments can be made at redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS. A free app for smart phones can also be downloaded, which allows individuals to make donation appointments, track lifetime donations and find giving opportunities.

Livingston County donation opportunities:

Brighton
2/16/2018: 12:30 p.m. - 6:15 p.m., Aquatic Adventures of Michigan, 10049 E. Grand River Avenue, Suite 200

2/18/2018: 9:30 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., St Mary Magdalen, 2201 S. Old US Hwy 23


Howell
2/26/2018: 1 p.m. - 6:45 p.m., Howell Elks Club, 2830 E. Grand River Avenue

2/28/2018: 11:30 a.m. - 5:15 p.m., Livingston County American Red Cross, 1372 W. Grand River Avenue