The American Red Cross (ARC) continues to experience a severe blood shortage that is negatively affecting blood product availability across the country, and blood and platelet donors are desperately needed now to help ensure hospital shelves are stocked with blood products over the Fourth of July holiday and beyond.

All those who donate today, July 1, through July 6 will receive a Red Cross embroidered hat by mail, while supplies last. Donors who give July 7 to July 31 will receive a $10 Amazon.com gift Card by email, plus a chance to win gas for a year (a $5,000 value).

Right now, the Red Cross is working around the clock to provide blood products to hospitals responding to an unusually high number of traumas and emergency room visits, as well as overdoses and resulting transplants. As a result of the blood shortage, some hospitals are being forced to slow the pace of elective surgeries until the blood supply stabilizes, delaying crucial patient care.

In addition, while summer is traditionally a time when blood donations decline, this year is particularly challenging as many Americans receive their vaccinations and resume summer activities after more than a year of limited interactions and travel, leading to lower donor turnout. The need for blood doesn’t take a holiday break − patients still depend on lifesaving transfusions.

In most cases, those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine can donate. However, knowing the name of the manufacturer of the vaccine they received is important in determining donation eligibility.

San Fernando Valley area locations accepting donations include:

Burbank

7/1/2021: 1 p.m. to  7 p.m., Burbank Elk’s Lodge #1497, 2232 N. Hollywood Way; 7/2/2021: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., AMC City Walk, 125 E Palm Ave.; 7/3/2021: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Burbank Elk’s Lodge #1497, 2232 N. Hollywood Way; 7/7/2021: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Castaway Restaurant, 1250 E. Harvard Road; 7/9/2021: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., AMC City Walk, 125 E. Palm Ave.; 7/11/2021: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., St. Finbar Catholic Church, 2010 W. Olive Ave.; 7/12/2021: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Garry Marshall Theatre, 4252 W. Riverside Drive; 7/13/2021: 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., Burbank Elk’s Lodge #1497, 2232 N. Hollywood Way; 7/15/2021: 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., Burbank Elk’s Lodge #1497, 2232 N. Hollywood Way.

Glendale

7/6/2021: 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., American Red Cross Glendale, 1501 S. Brand Blvd.; 7/8/2021: 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., American Red Cross Glendale, 1501 S. Brand Blvd.; 7/9/2021: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Glendale Masonic Lodge, 244 N. Maryland Ave.; 7/10/2021: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., American Red Cross Glendale, 1501 S. Brand Blvd.; 7/12/2021: 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., American Red Cross Glendale, 1501 S. Brand Blvd.

Granada Hills

7/1/2021: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., The Odyssey Restaurant, 15600 Odyssey Drive.

Northridge

7/8/2021: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., Our Lady of Lourdes, 18400 Kinzie St.; 7/13/2021: 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., Los Angeles Police Department, 10250 Etiwanda Ave.

Panorama City

7/13/2021: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., Mission Community Hospital, 14860 Roscoe Blvd.

San Fernando

7/15/2021: 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Galpin Honda, 11151 Laurel Canyon Blvd.

Sherman Oaks

7/6/2021: 11 a.m. yo 5 p.m., Congregational Church of the Chimes, 14115 Magnolia Blvd.; 7/14/2021: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Westfield, 14006 Riverside Drive.

Tarzana

7/7/2021: 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., Braemar Country Club, 4001 Reseda Blvd.

Van Nuys

7/8/2021: 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 15555 Saticoy St.; 7/15/2021: 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mid Valley YMCA, 6901 Lennox Ave.

Woodland Hills

July 1 to July 15, Woodland Hills Blood Donation Center, 6338 Variel Ave. Contact the center or Red Cross for available times.