Two blood drives in North Vernon have been scheduled this month by the American Red Cross.

A decline in donations occurs from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day when donors are busy with holiday activities and travel. By giving blood or platelets, donors may give patients more time and more holidays with loved one.

Patients like 6-year-old Ava King will continue to need blood transfusions critical to their care this holiday season. Ava has Diamond-Blackfan anemia, which impacts her body’s ability to produce enough red blood cells.

The two blood drives scheduled are:

• 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Nov. 20, Jennings County High School, 800 W. Walnut St., North Vernon
• 1 to 6 p.m. Nov. 21, First United Methodist Church, 240 Poplar St., North Vernon

Make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).

As a thank-you, those who come to donate blood or platelets in October will automatically be entered to win one of five $500 gift cards redeemable at hundreds of merchants. Learn more at redcrossblood.org/goforgoal.