By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

The American Red Cross is encouraging locals to help meet an urgent post-holiday need for blood and platelet donations by making a new year’s resolution to attend one of several upcoming blood drives in Shelby County.

In honor of National Blood Donor Month in January, the Red Cross is urging area residents to help during what traditionally is one of the most difficult times of the year to maintain a healthy blood supply.

“The critical role of blood and platelet donors has been celebrated each January for nearly 50 years during National Blood Donor Month, which coincides with one of the most difficult times to maintain a sufficient blood supply for patients,” read a Red Cross release. “Busy holiday schedules, extreme winter weather and seasonal illnesses often impact donor turnout this time of year.”

Make an appointment to donate blood or platelets by downloading the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

The following blood drives are scheduled in Shelby County during the upcoming weeks:

-Jan. 4: 8:15 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

-Jan. 5: 8:15 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

-Jan. 5: 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

-Jan. 7: 12:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

-Jan. 8: 12:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

-Jan. 9: 10:45 a.m. – 5:45 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

-Jan. 10: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Rec Center, Rec Center, 194 Washington Street in Columbiana

-Jan. 10: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Pelham Rec Center, 2020 Ballpark Road in Pelham

-Jan. 11: 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

-Jan. 11: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Rec Center, Rec Center, 194 Washington Street in Columbiana

-Jan. 12: 8:15 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

-Jan. 13: 8:15 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

-Jan. 14: 12:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

-Jan. 15: 12:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace