The American Red Cross typically experiences difficulty keeping the blood supply strong during the winter months, when inclement weather and seasonal illnesses can impact donors. This year the pandemic adds another challenge. The Red Cross is urging healthy individuals of any blood type to make an appointment to give blood or platelets.

Upcoming blood donation events will take place on Thursday, Feb. 4, from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. at LCBC Church, 6 Hahnstown Road, Ephrata; Saturday, Feb. 6, from noon to 5 p.m. at Bass Pro Shops, 3501 Paxton St., Harrisburg; and Wednesday, Feb. 10, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Fairfield Inn & Suites Harrisburg, 4 Terminal Drive, Middletown. Safety precautions at all locations include temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff. Donors must wear a face covering or mask while at the blood drive.

Those who attempt to give blood in February will receive an Amazon.com gift card via email. Restrictions apply; additional information and details are available at http://www.RedCrossBlood.org/Together.

Readers may make an appointment to give blood, platelets or plasma with the Red Cross by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting http://www.RedCrossBlood.org, calling 800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Amazon Alexa-enabled device.

The Red Cross is testing blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies. The test may indicate if the donor's immune system has produced antibodies to this coronavirus, regardless of whether an individual developed COVID-19 symptoms. Plasma from whole blood donations that test positive for COVID-19 antibodies may be used to help patients who are actively fighting the COVID-19 virus.

COVID-19 antibody test results will be available within one to two weeks in the Red Cross Blood Donor App or donor portal at http://www.RedCrossBlood.org. A positive antibody test result does not confirm infection or immunity. To protect the health and safety of Red Cross staff and donors, individuals who do not feel well or believe they may be ill with COVID-19 should postpone donation.

A blood donor card or driver's license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states, or 16 with parental consent where allowed by state law; weigh at least 110 pounds; and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, they may follow the instructions at http://www.RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

For more information about the American Red Cross, readers may visit http://www.redcross.org or http://www.cruzrojaamericana.org or search for @RedCross on Twitter.