Give blood, save lives, get a cool T-shirt

Summer is a busy time with its vacations, festivals and other fair-weather activities. It also means a step up in the need for blood and blood products by the American Red Cross.

The organization has put out a plea for donors of all blood types to restock its inventory of blood products for critical medical procedures. The need is especially acute for donations from Type O blood types and donors giving platelets.

“Every single donation can help keep the blood supply as stable as possible during a busy time of year when many regular donors may be unable to give blood,” a release from the agency said.

To book a donation visit RedCrossBlood.org , call 1-800-RED-CROSS or use the Red Cross Blood Donor app.

As an incentive to some potential donors the Red Cross has teamed up with the iconic video game Tetris to celebrate the 40th anniversary of its launch by offering exclusive Tetris Red Cross T-shirts, while supplies last through June 9. Plus, donors will also be entered into a chance to win a trip for two to New York to meet Tetris creator Alexey Pajitnov. See RedCrossBlood.org/Tetris for details.

Blood donation events in Newberg are set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 31 at the Public Safety Building, 401 E. Third St., and 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. June 6 at the Chehalem Aquatic and Fitness Center, 1802 Haworth Ave.