Emergencies don’t take a holiday. The American Red Cross urgently needs blood donors to make an appointment now to give and help ensure patients can get the treatment they need at a moment’s notice.

There are several blood drives scheduled in the area over the coming weeks, including one today in Ulysses.

Now is an important time to give blood. A seasonal decline in donations occurs from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day when donors get busy with family gatherings and travel. In addition, severe winter weather can cause blood drive cancellations and negatively affect the blood supply. Patients can’t afford for there to be a shortage of blood.

As a special thank-you for helping meet the urgent need, those who come to give Dec. 20 through Jan. 6 will receive a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

• Ulysses, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. today, Northern Potter High School, 763 Northern Potter Road

• Kersey, 2 to 6:30 p.m. Jan. 8, Fox Township Senior Center, 365 Main St.

• Ridgway, 1 to 6 p.m. Jan. 9, St. Leo Church, 111 Depot St.

• Ridgway, 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Jan. 11, Ridgway Central Hose Co., 30 N. Broad St.

• St. Marys, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 9, Moose Club Lodge, 30 Erie Ave.

• Weedville, 1 to 6 p.m. Jan. 10, Weedville Wesleyan Church, 18945 Bennetts Valley Highway

• Bradford, 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Dec. 28, Family Video, 102 W. Washington St.

• Bradford, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dec. 31, Bradford United Methodist Church, 23 Chambers St.

• Bradford, 1 to 5:30 p.m. Jan. 15, Church of the Nazarene, 55 N. Bennett St.

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) 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 in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), 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.