As the holidays approach and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns about a potential spike in flu cases this year, it’s important that those who are eligible, healthy and feeling well make an appointment to donate blood or platelets.

The American Red Cross continues to address an ongoing emergency blood shortage, and donors are urged to give now to combat the lowest blood supply levels at this time of year in more than a decade.

According to the CDC, flu cases reached an all-time low last year due to masking, physical distancing and shutdowns across the country, and many Americans may have reduced immunity this year. When seasonal illness increases, the number of healthy blood donors tends to decrease. 

Paired with winter weather, busy holiday schedules and ongoing COVID-19 concerns, the already-struggling blood supply could be further impacted throughout winter.

There is no blood donation waiting period for those who have received a flu shot or a Moderna, Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine or booster, so long as they are symptom-free.

Donors are urged to schedule an appointment now by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling (800) RED CROSS (800-733-2767).

To encourage donors to help meet the needs of hospital patients this month, all who come to donate Nov. 1-23 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email, thanks to Amazon. Those who come to give around the Thanksgiving holiday, Nov. 24-28, will receive a pair of Red Cross socks, while supplies last.

Valley area locations accepting donations include:

Burbank

Nov. 18: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Burbank Elk’s Lodge #1497, 2232 N Hollywood Way; Nov. 22: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Joslyn Adult Center, 1301 W. Olive Ave.; Nov. 23: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Burbank Elk’s Lodge #1497, 2232 N. Hollywood Way; Nov. 26: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, 501 S. Buena Vista; Nov. 28: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., AMC City Walk, 125 E. Palm Ave.; Nov. 29: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., AMC City Walk, 125 E. Palm Ave.

Canoga Park

Nov. 23: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Westfield Topanga, 21710 Vanowen St.; Nov. 30: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Los Angeles Police Department Topanga, 21501 Schoenborn St.

North Hills

Nov. 28: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Our Lady of Peace, 15444 Nordhoff St.

North Hollywood

Nov. 23: 3 p.m. – 9 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Studio City Stake, 11022 Riverside Drive.

Northridge

Nov. 29: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., First Presbyterian Church of Granada Hills, 10400 Zelzah Ave.

Pacoima

Nov. 21: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Mary Immaculate Catholic Church, 10390 Remick Ave.

Reseda

Nov. 23: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., West Valley Family YMCA, 18810 Vanowen St.

Van Nuys

Nov. 21: 7 a.m. – 1 p.m., ONEgeneration, 17400 Victory Blvd.; Nov. 28: 7:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., St. Elisabeth Church, 14655 Kittridge St.

Woodland Hills

Beginning Nov. 18: 10:45 a.m. – 5:45 p.m., Woodland Hills Blood Donation Center, 6338 Variel Ave. For more available dates and times, contact the Woodland Hills Blood Donation Center.

For information regarding the blood drive, visit the Red Cross website at https://www.redcross.org.