The holiday season and recent winter weather have been tough on the American Red Cross.

Between blood drive cancellations and residents’ busy schedules, blood donations have been in short supply in recent months. In many areas, the Red Cross is distributing these supplies faster than they can be replenished.

A Red Cross press release reads: “Snow and icy roads forced 27 blood drives to cancel in the Mid-Atlantic Blood Services Region, causing about 750 donations to go uncollected. Last month, nearly 100 blood drives were forced to cancel across the country due to severe weather, resulting in more than 3,100 blood donations going uncollected.”

Donating blood is undoubtedly a way to save lives, and every single donation counts. Without the blood supply to do it, medical personnel simply can’t save many of the victims with life-threatening conditions.

It’s a simple task to take some time out of one’s day to donate blood. Loved ones or friends may need this life-saving type of supply some day.

If uncomfortable with the process of giving blood, volunteer at a blood drive, or better yet, raise awareness about the next blood drive. There are many ways to be a part of the cause.

The following are upcoming blood drive dates and locations:

• 15 – 1-5 p.m., Mount Olive Church of Christ, 39353 U.S. Highway 264 East, Belhaven
• 16 – 3-7 p.m., Fitness Unlimited, 622 W. 15th St., Washington
• 17 – 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Masonic Lodge No. 675, 1110 Fifth St., Washington; noon-5 p.m., First Christian Church, 401 E. Second St., Washington
• 19 – 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Department of Environmental Quality, 943 Washington Square Mall, Washington; 11 a.m.-3 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 211 W. Second St., Washington
• 20 – 2-7 p.m., Bethany United Methodist Church, 2766 S. Savannah Road, Belhaven
• 22 – Noon-4:30 p.m., Five Points Free Will Baptist Church, 12357 N.C. Highway 32 North, Bath

For more information, visit www.redcross.org/give-blood.