In honor of Black History Month this February, the American Red Cross encourages eligible donors, and especially those who have recovered from COVID-19, to give blood to honor the legacies of African Americans like Dr. Charles Drew and Dr. Jerome Holland.

Their passion for helping improve the lives of patients in need of lifesaving blood products is carried on through dedicated blood donors, blood drive sponsors, volunteers and Red Cross employees. Drew, an African American surgeon, was the medical director of the first Red Cross blood bank in 1941. Drew’s research about the storage and shipment of blood plasma proved that blood could be stored for transfusions. Many of the processes he developed are still in use today.

Blood donation appointments can be made by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. Those who come to give this February will receive a $5 Amazon.com gift card via email, courtesy of Amazon.

The following are planned blood drives this month

Brier Hill

Feb. 25: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Brier Hill Fire Company, 2704 ST Hwy 37

Canton

Feb. 22: 10:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., SUNY Canton Campus Center, 34 Cornell Dr

Feb. 24: 10:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., SUNY Canton Campus Center, 34 Cornell Dr

Feb. 26: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Best Western University Inn, 90 E Main St

Gouverneur

Feb. 16: 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Gouverneur Community Center, 4673 NY-58

Heuvelton

Feb. 27: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Pickens Hall & General Store, 83 State St

Lisbon

Feb. 26: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m., Lisbon Hepburn Library, 6899 County Route 10

Massena

Feb. 22: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., VFW Massena, 101 West Hatfield Street

Ogdensburg

Feb. 16: 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Ogdensburg Presbyterian Church, 423 Ford St

Feb. 18: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Claxton Hepburn Medical Center, 214 King St

Potsdam

Feb. 26: 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., Potsdam Presbyterian Church, 42 Elm St