The American Red Cross asks eligible donors to help ensure blood is available for patients in need by giving blood in May before the busy summer season kicks in.

Blood and platelet donations often decrease when regular donors are vacationing and school is out of session, but the need for blood is constant. Donors are needed in the weeks leading up to summer to help alleviate this seasonal decline, the Red Cross said in a news release.

Donors of all blood types — especially those with types O-negative, A-negative and B-negative — are needed to help ensure blood is available for patients this spring. Those who come to donate blood between May 23 and 25 will receive a limited-edition Red Cross-branded RuMe tote bag, while supplies last.

To make an appointment to give blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

The following is a list of nearby blood-donation opportunities:

• Saturday: 7:15 a.m. to 1:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave., Savannah

• Monday: 11:15 a.m. to 6:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center

• Tuesday: 11 a.m. to 6:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center

• Wednesday: 12:15-6:15 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center

• Thursday, May 21: 12:15-6:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center

• Friday, May 22: 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Candler Hospital, 5353 Reynolds Ave., Savannah

• Friday, May 22: 8:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center

• Saturday, May 23: 7:15 a.m. to 1:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center

• Monday, May 25: 7:15 a.m. to 1:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center

• Tuesday, May 26: 11 a.m. to 6:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center

• Wednesday, May 27: 12:15-6:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center

• Thursday, May 28: 12:15-6:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center

• Friday, May 29: 8:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center

• Saturday, May 30: 7:15 a.m. to 1:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center