Health officials are once again putting out an urgent call for blood donors.

Donors of all blood types, especially type O and those giving platelets, are urged to make an appointment.

ConnectLife is one of those organizations you can donate through to help out hospitals in our area.

Officials say hospitals are dealing with an unusually high number of traumas, emergency room visits and elective surgeries.

Amanda Farrell, senior director of blood recruitment at ConnectLife, says that one person alone can use a huge supply of blood, so it's important to keep the donations coming.

“So when you look at the needs of our trauma center, one patient entering that ER could receive up to six units of blood right away,” said Farrell. “So unfortunately and as many people read the news — accidents, traumas,  violence — have been at an all-time high here in Western New York, which is creating a greater need for blood products. There is never enough blood. Blood only has a shelf life of 42 days from when it's donated until the day it's transfused.”

Officials say you can donate every eight weeks, and there is no waiting period for those who recently got the COVID-19 vaccine.

The American Red Cross is also putting out a call for donors.

The organization says 1,000 blood donations are needed daily to prevent further delays in patient care.

Anyone who donates this month will receive a $10 Amazon gift card. Donors will also be entered for a chance to win gas for a year or a trip for four to Cedar Point or Knott's Berry Farm.

Donors of all blood types are urged to make an appointment.

Schedule an appointment to give blood or platelets by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Upcoming blood donation opportunities July 16-31:

Allegany County

Canaseraga 

  • 7/30/2021, 3-7 p.m., American Legion, 83 West Main St.

Fillmore

  • 7/30/2021, 2-6:30 p.m., Fillmore Volunteer Fire Department, Fillmore Volunteer Fire Department, 24 South Genesee Street

Wellsville

  • 7/23/2021, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Wellsville Bible Church, 2896 New York 417

Cattaraugus County

Franklinville 

  • 7/16/2021: 1-6 p.m., Franklinville Fire Hall, 75 North Main St

Randolph 

  • 7/16/2021: 1-6 p.m., Randolph Fire Hall, 70 Main Street

Salamanca 

  • 7/16/2021: 1-6 p.m., Our Lady Peace-Holy Cross Church, 274 Broad St

Chautauqua County

Chautauqua

  • 7/17/2021: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Chautauqua Volunteer Fire Department, 2 Royal Way, P.O. Box F

Dunkirk

  • 7/19/2021: 12-6 p.m., Blessed Mary Angela Roman Catholic Parish, 324 Townsend Street
  • 7/31/2021: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Dunkirk First Baptist Church, 876 Central Avenue

Forestville

  • 7/20/2021: 12:30-5 p.m., Forestville American Legion, 6 Cedar Street

Jamestown

  • 7/21/2021: 1-5 p.m., DoubleTree by Hilton Jamestown, 150 W 4th Street

Lakewood

  • 7/22/2021: 12:30-5:30 p.m., Chautauqua Mall, 318 E Fairmount Ave.
  • 7/29/2021: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Chautauqua Mall, 318 E Fairmount Ave.

Sherman

  • 7/28/2021: 2-8 p.m., Stanley Hose Company, 122 Park Street

Westfield

  • 7/19/2021: 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Eason Hall, 23 Elm Street

Erie County

Alden

  • 7/19/2021: 2-6 p.m., Millgrove Vol FD, 11621 Genesee St.

Amherst

  • 7/17/2021: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Boulevard Mall, 730 Alberta Drive
  • 7/21/2021: 12-6 p.m., Boulevard Mall, 730 Alberta Drive
  • 7/23/2021: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Boulevard Mall, 730 Alberta Drive
  • 7/28/2021: 12-6 p.m., Boulevard Mall, 730 Alberta Drive
  • 7/30/2021: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Boulevard Mall, 730 Alberta Drive

Akron

  • 7/20/2021: 2 p.m.-6 p.m., Akron Fiue Department, 1 Main Street

Blasdell

7/19/2021: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Starbucks, 3540 McKinley Pkway

Buffalo

  • 7/27/2021: 1-5 p.m., Cazenovia Neighborhood Library, 155 Cazenovia St
  • 7/28/2021: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Delta Air Lines, 4200 Genesee St.
  • 7/28/2021: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., WNY Chapter, 786 Delaware Ave
  • 7/30/2021: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Conversion Monster, 500 Seneca St

Cheektowaga

  • 7/15/2021: 9-11:30 a.m., Buffalo & Erie Julia Boyer Reinstein Public Library

Depew

  • 7/27/2021: 2-6 p.m., Centerpointe Community Church, 56 Burlington Ave

Derby

  • 7/28/2021: 1-5:30 p.m., American Legion Newcomb Long Post 928, 7353 Erie Rd

East Aurora

  • 7/23/2021: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Absolut Care - Aurora Park, Absolut Care - Aurora Park, 292 Main St.

Grand Island

  • 7/20/2021: 1-6 p.m., Grand Island Fire Hall, Grand Island Fire Hall, 2275 Baseline Rd

Hamburg

  • 7/13/2021: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Hamburg Brewing Company
  • 7/24/2021: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., All Saints Lutheran Church, 6065 South Park Ave

Lackawanna

  • 7/23/2021: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Baker Hall School, Baker Hall School, 777 Ridge Rd
  • 7/26/2021: 12-5 p.m., American Legion Matthew Glab Post, 1965 Abbott Rd

Lancaster

  • 7/23/2021: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Lancaster Elks Lodge, 33 Legion Parkway

Orchard Park

  • 7/19/2021: 1:30-6:30 p.m., Nativity of Our Lord Roman Catholic Church, 26 Thorn Ave

Springville

  • 7/21/2021: 1-7 p.m., Concord Senior Center, 40 Commerce Drive

Tonawanda

  • 7/22/2021: 2-7 p.m., Eldredge Bicycle Club, Eldredge Bicycle Club, 17 Broad St

Williamsville

  • 7/30/2021: 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Ss Peter & Paul RC Church, 5480 Main St

Genesee County

Batavia

  • 7/20/2021: 2-7 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 8221 Lewiston Rd
  • 7/30/2021: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., United Memorial Medical Center, 127 North St

Corfu

  • 7/16/2021: 3-7 p.m., Indian Falls United Methodist Church, 7908 Alleghany Road

Stafford

  • 7/24/2021: 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Stafford Fire Department, 6153 Main Rd., Route 5

Niagara County

Barker

  • 7/29/2021: 2-6 p.m., Faith United Methodist Church, 1449 Quaker Rd

Lewiston

  • 7/26/2021: 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Lewiston Fire Co No 1, 145 N 6th St

Lockport

  • 7/21/2021: 1-6 p.m., Moose Lodge #617, 204 Monroe St.
  • 7/27/2021: 1-6 p.m., The Dale Association Incorporated, 33 Ontario St.
  • 7/29/2021: 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Lockport High School, 250 Lincoln Ave

Niagara Falls

  • 7/26/2021: 1-6 p.m., Cristoforo Colombo Society, 2223 Pine Ave

North Tonawanda

  • 7/29/2021: 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Stephen Sikora Post American Legion, Stephen Sikora Post American Legion, 950 Payne Ave

Sanborn

  • 7/31/2021: 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Pekin Fire Company, 3024 Upper Mountain Rd.

Orleans County

Albion

  • 7/22/2021: 2-7 p.m., Orleans County 4H Fair, 12690 State Hwy 31

Clarendon

  • 7/23/2021: 2-6 p.m., Clarendon Fire Company, 16169 East Lee Rd (Rt 31A)

Wyoming County

Arcade

  • 7/20/2021: 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Hope Lutheran Church, 2 E. Main St.