WISCONSIN — The American Red Cross, along with actor James Van Der Beek and his wife, Kimberly, have joined together to urge all who are healthy to make this a summer full of life for patients by scheduling an appointment to give blood or platelets.   

Individuals of all blood types are urged to schedule an appointment now to give blood, and in most cases, those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine can donate. However, knowing the name of the manufacturer of the vaccine they received is important in determining donation eligibility. Appointments can be made by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-733-2767 or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

The Red Cross is testing blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies. The test may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to this coronavirus, regardless of whether they developed symptoms. Testing may also identify the presence of antibodies developed after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.

Blood donation opportunities for Green County include:

● 12 to 6 p.m. June 2 at the New Glarus Bible Church, 207 6th St.

Blood donation opportunities for Lafayette County include:

● Benton: 1 to 5 p.m. June 8 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 237 E. Main

● Darlington: 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. June 8 at the American Legion, 1400 Keep St.

●  Shullsburg: 1 to 6 p.m. June 1 at Centenary United Methodist Church, 225 W. Church St.

●  South Wayne: 1 to 5:30 p.m. June 9 at St. John’s Catholic Church, 304-306 E. Pleasant St.