The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to end the year with real meaning by donating blood for hospital patients in need, according to a press release.

Holiday activities, severe weather and seasonal illnesses like the flu can pull people away from their regular blood donation schedules. This creates a greater need for blood donations this time of year, especially around the winter holidays. To encourage donations, all those who donate Dec. 23 through Jan. 3, will get a long-sleeve Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.

Jamie Czesak made her first blood donation on Dec. 27, 2013.

“As I spent Christmas with my family, I realized how lucky I was to have my health and how we never really know when our last Christmas will be,” she said. “I decided that I would face my fears and do one of the few things I can do to help save someone’s life — donate blood.”

Healthy donors with all blood types are needed, especially those with types AB, O, B-negative and A-negative.

To make an appointment to donate blood, download the free Red Cross blood donor app from app stores, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS. Donors can now use the blood donor app to access their donor card and view vital signs from previous donations.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities are from 1 to 7 p.m. Dec. 18 at Bridge Community Church, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 28 at North Bridge Mall and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 31 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea.