March is Red Cross Month and a time to thank our heroes and encourage others to join their ranks. The Red Cross has been helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies for more than 130 years. Red Cross Month is an ideal time to become part of the Red Cross by donating blood, volunteering, making a financial donation or taking a class.

March first was proclaimed Red Cross Month in 1943 by President Franklin Roosevelt. Since then, every president has called on people across America to support the Red Cross mission in March.

Everyday heroes first stocked, and then restocked, our shelves when severe winter weather struck Douglas County earlier this year and forced the cancellation of about 1,500 blood drives across the nation. Donors of all blood types continue to be needed. It’s the blood already on the shelves that helps to save lives when bad weather strikes. Blood drives were affected across 34 states and the District of Columbia in January and February, resulting in more than 50,000 uncollected blood and platelet donations.

We invite you to be a hero to patients in need by donating blood at our upcoming Lawrence Blood Drive. You can join the ranks of everyday heroes from noon to 6 p.m. March 27 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 2104 Bob Billings Parkway. Appointments can be made by visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS. Walk-in donors are also welcome.

To give blood or platelets, someone must be at least 17 years of age, meet weight and height requirements and be in generally good health. Eligible donors with Rh negative blood types are encouraged to give double red cells. Type O negative is universal and can likely be transfused to anyone who needs blood. Types A negative and B negative can be transfused to patients with either Rh positive or negative blood.

Type AB donors are especially needed because only about 4 percent of the U.S. population has type AB blood.

The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors. For more information, visit redcross.org or contact executive director Jane Blocher, 785-843-3550 or Jane.Blocher@redcross.org.