(Photo By Flickr)

Every nine minutes, the American Red Cross brings help and hope to people in need, thanks to heroes like you. Whether you donate funds, donate blood or volunteer, we depend on your support to make a difference in communities across the country.

Each year, the President Of The United States proclaims the month of March as “Red Cross Month” to honor the mission. Red Cross uses this month as a chance to honor the everyday heroes who help us fulfill that mission every day.

The Red Cross invites the public to discover their inner hero this month. To make an appointment to donate blood or for more information about other ways to get involved with the Red Cross, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Marshall County:
March 28th from 9am to 1pm at Midland High School, 1830 State St. in Varna, IL. 

McLean County:
March 17th from 2:30pm-6:30pm at American Red Cross, 1 Westport Court in Bloomington, IL. 
March 17th from 10am to 2pm at Calvary United Methodist Church, 1700 N. Towanda Ave. in Normal, IL. 
March 19th from 9am to 2pm at Heartland Community College Instructional Commons Building, 1500 W. Raab Road in Normal, IL. 
March 19th from 11am to 4pm at Illinois State University Bowling & Billiards Center, 100 N. University St. in Normal, IL. 
March 19th from 11am to 5pm at Ridgeview High School, 202 E. Wood St. in Colfax, IL.
March 21st from 11am to 4pm at Illinois State University Bowling & Billiards Center, 100 N. University St. in Normal, IL.
March 22nd from 7:30am-11:30am at American Red Cross, 1 Westport Court in Bloomington, IL.
March 24th from 2:30pm-6:30pm at American Red Cross, 1 Westport Court in Bloomington, IL.
March 24th from 3pm-7pm at Calvary United Methodist Church, 1700 N. Towanda Ave. in Normal, IL.
March 24th from 12noon-6pm at Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, 201 Broadway Ave. in Normal, IL.
March 25th from 10am to 4pm at BroMenn Conference Center, Advocate BroMenn Medical Center in Normal, IL.
March 25th from 12noon-6pm at Hansen Student Center, 300 Beecher St. in Bloomington, IL.
March 26th from 10am to 2pm at University High School, 500 W. Gregory in Normal, IL.
March 27th from 1:30pm-5:30pm at First United Methodist Church, 201 N. Chestnut in Le Roy, IL.
March 28th from 2pm-6pm at Victory Christian Center, 18180 US Highway 150 in Bloomington, IL.
March 28th from 10am to 3pm at Illinois State University Bowling & Billiards Center, 100 N. University St. in Normal, IL.
March 29th from 7:30am-11:30am at American Red Cross, 1 Westport Court in Bloomington, IL.
March 29th from 8am to 12pm at Ebenezer United Methodist Church, 1971 East and 550 North in Mc Lean, IL.
March 29th from 8am to 12pm at Wesley United Methodist Church, 502 E. Front St. in Bloomington, IL.
March 31st from 2:30pm-6:30pm at American Red Cross, 1 Westport Court in Bloomington, IL.

Peoria County:
March 17th from 1pm-6pm at Chillicothe Library, 430 N. Bradley in Chillicothe, IL. 
March 17th from 2pm-7pm at Woodland Baptist Church, 6915 N. Allen Road in Peoria, IL. 
March 17th from 8am to 6pm at American Red Cross, 405 W. John H. Gwynn Jr. Ave. in Peoria, IL. 
March 17th from 9am to 2pm at Brimfield High School, 323 Clinton St. in Brimfield, IL. 
March 18th from 11am to 6pm at American Red Cross, 405 W. John H. Gwynn Jr. Ave. in Peoria, IL. 
March 19th from 6:30am to 3pm at American Red Cross, 405 W. John H. Gwynn Jr. Ave. in Peoria, IL. 
March 20th from 7am-11:30am at Proctor Professional Bldg, 5409 N. Knoxville in Peoria, IL. 
March 20th from 11am to 6pm at American Red Cross, 405 W. John H. Gwynn Jr. Ave. in Peoria, IL. 
March 20th from 11:30am to 4pm at Proctor Professional Bldg, 5409 N. Knoxville in Peoria, IL. 
March 21st from 6:30am to 3pm at American Red Cross, 405 W. John H. Gwynn Jr. Ave. in Peoria, IL. 
March 22nd from 7am to 2pm at American Red Cross, 405 W. John H. Gwynn Jr. Ave. in Peoria, IL. 
March 22nd from 8am to 1pm at Bartonville Christian Church, 4900 Pfeiffer in Bartonville, IL. 
March 24th from 8am to 6pm at American Red Cross, 405 W. John H. Gwynn Jr. Ave. in Peoria, IL. 
March 24th from 9am to 3pm at OSF Patient Accounts and Access Center, 7915 N. Hale Ave. in Peoria, IL. 
March 25th from 10:30am to 1:30pm at Midstate College, 411 W. Northmoor Road in Peoria, IL. 
March 25th from 11am to 6pm at American Red Cross, 405 W. John H. Gwynn Jr. Ave. in Peoria, IL. 
March 26th from 6:30am to 3pm at American Red Cross, 405 W. John H. Gwynn Jr. Ave. in Peoria, IL. 
March 27th from 7am to 12pm at Unity Point Health – Methodist, 221 NE Glen Oak in Peoria, IL. 
March 27th from 11am to 6pm at American Red Cross, 405 W. John H. Gwynn Jr. Ave. in Peoria, IL. 
March 27th from 12noon-4pm at Unity Point Health – Methodist, 221 NE Glen Oak in Peoria, IL. 
March 28th from 6:30am to 3pm at American Red Cross, 405 W. John H. Gwynn Jr. Ave. in Peoria, IL. 
March 28th from 8am to 1pm at IVC High School, 1300 W. Sycamore in Chillicothe, IL. 
March 29th from 7am to 2pm at American Red Cross, 405 W. John H. Gwynn Jr. Ave. in Peoria, IL. 
March 29th from 9am to 1pm at Grand View Lodge #1112, 3819 N. Prospect Road in Peoria Heights, IL. 
March 31st from 8am to 6pm at American Red Cross, 405 W. John H. Gwynn Jr. Ave. in Peoria, IL. 

Putnam County:
March 17th from 12noon-5:30pm at Hennepin United Methodist Church, 419 E. Court St. in Hennepin, IL. 

Stark County:
March 24th from 9am to 6pm at Stark County High School, 418 S. Franklin in Toulon, IL. 

Tazewell County:
March 18th from 3pm-6 pm at South Pekin Grade School, 206 W. Main St. in South Pekin, IL. 
March 20th from 12noon-6pm at St. Paul's United Church of Christ, 101 N. Eighth St. in Pekin, IL. 
March 22th from 8am-11am at Baptist Church, 207 N. Main in Deer Creek, IL. 
March 22th from 8am to 12noon at Roy L. King VFW 1232, 15665 VFW Road in Pekin, IL. 
March 24th from 11am to 5pm at UAW LOCAL 974, 3025 Springfield Road in East Peoria, IL. 
March 27th from 1pm-6pm at First Church of God, 2520 Maywood in Pekin, IL. 
March 31st from 3pm-6pm at Robein Elementary School, 200 Campus Ave. in East Peoria, IL. 

Woodford County:
March 17th from 4pm-7pm at Congerville Elementary School, 310 E. Kauffman in Congerville, IL. 
March 20th from 10am to 2pm at Roanoke-Benson HS, 208 W. High St. in Roanoke, IL. 

How to donate blood
Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.