Plenty of opportunities are coming up for donating the most important holiday gift of all - life. (WJBC file photo)

By Zach Dietmeier

BLOOMINGTON - The holiday season is the perfect time to give the gift of a blood donation.

The American Red Cross has several blood drives scheduled over the next three weeks in preparation for what spokesman Ben Corey calls a down time for donors.

"Typically, we see a decline in donations," said Corey. "With holiday activities, inclement weather, and seasonal illnesses, it can be a difficult time to keep enough blood on the shelf."

Several local drives need you over the next few weeks.

"With drives coming up in Bloomington and all across Central Illinois, we are really just trying to encourage folks to come out and donate so that we can maintain an adequate blood supply for patients," said Corey.

There are 10 blood drives scheduled between now and Dec. 31:

Dec. 17 from 2:30-6:30 p.m. at Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1 Westport Court in Bloomington.

Dec. 17 from 12-6 p.m. at La Gondola Spaghetti House, 1501 E. Vernon Ave. in Bloomington.

Dec. 21 from 12-4 p.m. at Lexington High School, 100 E. Wall St. in Lexington.

Dec. 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at US Cellular Coliseum, 101 S. Madison St. in Bloomington.

Dec. 22 from 7:30-11:30 a.m. at Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1 Westport Court in Bloomington.

Dec. 24 from 12-4 p.m. at Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1 Westport Court in Bloomington.

Dec. 26 from 12-5 p.m. at Eastland Mall, 1615 E. Empire in Bloomington.

Dec. 27 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Chateau, The Chateau in Bloomington.

Dec. 29 from 7:30-11:30 a.m. at Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1 Westport Court in Bloomington.

Dec. 31 from 12-4 p.m. at Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1 Westport Court in Bloomington.

Several more are scheduled in Livingston and DeWitt Counties. As many as 44,000 donations are needed everyday, and Corey encourages you to be one of them.

"Simply call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org to learn more or just make an appointment if you want to give," said Corey.

Zach Dietmeier can be reached at zach.dietmeier@cumulus.com.