With August fast-approaching, the American Red Cross urges donors to give blood or platelets now to reinforce the blood supply as much as possible before the season winds down. Donors are critically needed to help safeguard care for patients. In thanks for answering the call to donate, those who come to give Aug. 1-31, 2024, will get a $20 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. See RedCrossBlood.org/Help for details. Several local blood drives are coming up in August. You can donate blood on Friday, August 9th, noon until 6 p.m. at Central Christian Church in Ark City. your next chance is Thursday, August 15th, noon until 6 p.m. at Cornerstone Bible Fellowship Church in Winfield. You can donate blood on Friday, August 16th, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at SCK Health Outpatient Services Building. And you can donate on Wednesday, August 21st, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Udall High School.