Kosciusko County American Red Cross chapter is hosting four public blood drives in December.

The schedule is: Dec. 7, Mentone United Methodist Church, 2 to 7 p.m.; Dec. 9, Grace College, Winona Lake First Presbyterian Church, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Dec. 14, Center Lake Pavilion, 12:30 to 6 p.m.; and Dec. 14, North Webster American Legion, 3 to 7 p.m.

The Red Cross program provides about one-half of the blood supply across the United States. U.S. citizens enjoy the safest blood supply in the world, according to Warsaw Red Cross executive director Larry Peppel, and the Red Cross continuously works to improve the safety and supply.

Efforts to improve requirements and procedures in collecting and processing blood are continually under way to improve the safety and effectiveness of the blood program. Recently, new procedures were implemented to improve the collection of each donor's personal history.

"Initially these procedures took extra time for donors and technicians as the new steps were implemented," Peppel said. "We honestly believe that in the future, these procedures will expedite the donor history process as well as improve the accuracy and overall safety of the blood supply. We ask that you 'bear with' our technicians as they complete the process and ultimately, you will benefit from the improved processes in the future."

For more information about donating blood, call 800-448-3543 to schedule an appointment. [[In-content Ad]]