The next American Red Cross bloodmobile visit to Bluffton is Friday, May 7, from 8:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at Bluffton High School in the New Gymnasium, located at 106 W. College Ave. in Bluffton.

Persons who donate will receive a free t-shirt.

To help increase donation activity during the summer, the Red Cross is bringing back Red Cross Racing for a third season. This online donor rewards program encourages more people to give blood and asks eligible donors to give more often.

The program recognizes the importance of frequent donations by offering rewards for blood donation activities. Donors can visit redcrossracing.com to schedule and report blood donations, view points, exchange points for rewards and encourage friends to donate blood. Donors can also take part in Fantasy Racing and start or join a team.

How to donate blood
To schedule an appointment to donate please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org for more information. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), meet weight and height requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on their height) and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. Please bring your Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when you come to donate.

About the American Red Cross
The Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region serves northern and central Indiana and northwestern Ohio, and needs to collect about 500 units of blood a day to meet patient need in more than 60 hospitals.

In addition to providing blood to our community, the American Red Cross also provides relief to victims of disaster, trains millions in lifesaving skills, serves as a communication link between U.S. military members and their families, and assists victims of international disasters or conflicts.