MARQUETTE — The American Red Cross has an urgent need for donors and is counting on people to act now and book a time to give blood or platelets. Donors of all blood types and those giving platelets are needed to keep a strong supply of lifesaving blood products on hospital shelves into the summer.

As summer heat ramps up, so do people’s plans, which could lead to postponed appointments or less opportunities to give ─ an especially troubling scenario at a time where the Red Cross has experienced an alarming drop in scheduled donations in recent weeks.

In addition to many end-of-school year activities, travel and school breaks, June 1 marked the beginning of Atlantic hurricane season ─ a reminder that severe weather can also quickly disrupt the ability to donate in affected areas and potentially delay or cancel blood drives.

Take action today. To schedule a blood or platelet donation appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

As a thank-you for those who step up to give, all who come to give June 1-28, 2026, will receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice, plus be automatically entered for a chance to win one of two $7,500 gift cards. See RedCrossBlood.org/June for details.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities in the area:

– Iron Mountain: Today from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Bay College West, 2801 N US; June 16 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Hope Church of Iron Mountain, 200 E B St

– Iron River: Thursday from 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., West Iron District Library, 116 W Genesee St

– Watersmeet: June 16 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Lac Vieux Desert Health Center, Lac Vieux Desert Health Center, N5241 US-45

– Escanaba: June 17 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wellspring Church, 301 N Lincoln.

– Menominee: June 19 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Bethel Lutheran Church, 1309 14th Ave; July 7 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., American Legion Post 146, 818 First St.

– Carney: June 23 from 12 to 5 p.m., Carney Evangelical Free Church, 52 Church Street

– Kingsford: June 24 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 395 Hamilton; July 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Kingsford Maranatha Assembly of God, 920 S Carpenter Ave

– Norway: June 25 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Grace Methodist/Bethany Lutheran Church, 130 O’Dill Rd

– Powers: July 8 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Powers Spalding Fire Hall, N15881 Pine Street