As summer winds down, the American Red Cross is urging individuals to give blood and platelets now and help end an emergency summer blood shortage that began last month.

A critical need remains as many regular donors delay giving to take those final summer vacations and prepare for school to start.

Red Cross says all those who come to donate blood or platelets from now through August 30th will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email.

Make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Franklin

Benton

8/23/2018: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Benton Public Library, 502 South Main Street

Whittington

8/20/2018: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Whittington Church, 200 Main Street

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Jackson

Carbondale

8/24/2018: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Finish Line Car Wash, 1237 East Main Street A-17

8/27/2018: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Southern Illinois University Carbondale Student Center, 1255 Lincoln Drive

8/28/2018: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Southern Illinois University Carbondale Student Center, 1255 Lincoln Drive

8/29/2018: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Lentz Hall, Lentz Hall, 1275 Point

8/30/2018: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Southern Illinois University Carbondale Student Recreation Center, 400 East Grand Avenue

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Jefferson

Ina

8/27/2018: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Rend Lake College, 468 North Kengray Parkway

8/28/2018: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Rend Lake College, 468 North Kengray Parkway

Mount Vernon

8/20/2018: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Tri County Electric & IL Power, 3906 W. Broadway

8/30/2018: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Rolland Lewis Community Building, South 27th Street

8/30/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Central Christian Church, 314 North 12th Street

8/31/2018: 3 p.m. – 6 p.m., Meadowbrook Christian Church, 840 Meadowbrook Lane

Texico

8/23/2018: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., Donoho Prairie Christian Church, 7405 Exchange Road

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Perry

Cutler

8/20/2018: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Cutler Community Center, 409 South Main

Tamaroa

8/26/2018: 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Tamaroa Community Center, 534 West 2nd North Street, PO Box 216

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Williamson

Carterville

8/22/2018: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., SIH Cancer Center, 1400 Pin Oak Drive

8/29/2018: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., John A Logan College, 700 Logan College Road

Herrin

8/24/2018: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Herrin Hospital – Medical Arts Conference Center, 220 South Park Avenue

Marion

8/17/2018: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Heartland Regional Medical Center, 3333 West DeYoung Street

8/18/2018: 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Lake of Egypt Fire Protection District, 12228 Lake of Egypt Road

8/28/2018: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., VA Medical Center, 2401 West Main