“We’re inviting community members to set aside a little bit of time to give the gift of life during the holidays,” said Todd Kulman, Communications Program manager for the Great Lakes Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross. “Every day, people need blood products for the care and treatment of serious diseases, trauma and accidents. That need doesn’t go away with the season. In fact, it sometimes increases.”

More than 44,000 pints of blood are needed daily in the United States. Donations of all blood types are needed, but type O is in high demand since it can be transfused to people with other blood types.

Donors who give through the Red Cross help supply blood to patients in about 3,000 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country. Those donations make a difference to patients within the immediate community, as well as to patients who travel outside the community for medical care.

The stability of the nation’s blood supply depends on volunteer donors who give consistently year-round. Although 38 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood at any given time, a very small percent actually do.

“In the time it might take to wrap a few gifts or send out holidays cards, you could help give someone a second chance at life,” said Kulman. “That’s a powerful gift, and something worth making time for.”

Following is a list of area blood drives through Jan. 23.

• Jan. 10, 17: Muskegon Blood Donation Center, 313 W. Webster, 1-6:45 p.m.

• Jan. 8, 15, 22: Muskegon Blood Donation Center, 313 W. Webster, 10 a.m. -3:45 p.m.

• Jan. 8: Community United Methodist Church, 1614 Ruddiman Dr., North Muskegon, 12-5:45 p.m.

• Jan. 10: Mercy Health Partners Hackley Campus, 1700 Clinton, 10:15 a.m.-4 p.m.

• Jan. 14: St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Church, 150 W. Church St., Lakewood Club, 12-5:45 p.m.

• Jan. 15: Holton American Legion, 9150 Holton Rd., 12:15-6 p.m.

• Jan. 16: All Saints Catholic Church, 510 Iroquois, 12-5:45 p.m.

• Jan. 23: Baker College Gym, 1903 Marquette, 11:30 a.m.-5:15 p.m.

• Jan. 23: Muskegon Community College, 221 S. Quarterline, 11:30 a.m.-5:15 p.m.