If there were ever a time to celebrate blood donors, it’s during National Volunteer Month. With no substitute for blood and no way to manufacture it, volunteer blood donors are the definition of essential. And, over the past year, these heroes rolled up a sleeve to help ensure blood was available for patients across the country amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Healthy volunteer donors are needed every day to help keep the blood flowing for hospitals and patients that rely on a readily available blood supply. As a special thank-you, those who come to give by April 30 will automatically be entered for a chance to win one of five $1,000 e-gift cards to a merchant of choice. Additional details are available at rcblood.org/Gift.

Red Cross has set up blood donation locations as follows:

Donations will be accepted at the Hughson Community Center, 2307 Fourth Street, on April 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Modesto Blood Donation Center at 1900 W. Orangeburg Ave., will be accepting donations of blood on Friday, April 16 from 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Saturday, April 17, from 7:45 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sunday, April 18. 8:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.; Monday, April 19, 12:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Tuesday, April 20, 12:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and  Wednesday, April 21, 12:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.; Thursday, April 22, 10:45 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.; Friday, April 23, 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Saturday, April 24, 7:45 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sunday, April 25, 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.; Monday, April 26, 12:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Tuesday, April 27, 12:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Wednesday, April 28, 12:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.; Thursday, April 29, 10:45 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.; and Friday, April 30, 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.,