The American Red Cross is urging donors to give blood or platelets to help build up the blood supply after thousands of donations went uncollected last month.

People of all blood types – especially those with type O negative blood – are encouraged to make and keep their donation appointments so hospitals can continue to ensure critical care for patients this winter.

Since the beginning of the year, hundreds of blood drives have been canceled and more than 15,000 blood and platelet donations have gone uncollected due to severe winter weather and wildfires. As February continues, so does the potential for additional weather systems to disrupt blood drives. Influenza and other seasonal illnesses are spreading, which could also force more people to cancel scheduled donation appointments, compounding the impact to collecting lifesaving blood products.

Give with your whole heart this month. To book a time to give blood or platelets, use the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-733-2767.

As a thank you, all who come to give until Feb. 28, will get a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. See RedCrossBlood.org/Flurry for details.

Upcoming blood donation events are as follows:

Nashua

Feb. 19 from 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 110 Concord St.

Feb. 20 from noon – 4:30 p.m., Premier Rehab and Healthcare, 55 Harris Rd.

Feb. 20 from noon – 6 p.m., Nashua NH Elks Lodge, 12 Murphy Dr., Unit B-1

Feb. 21 from noon – 5 p.m., St. Joseph the Worker Parish, 777 West Hollis St.

Feb. 26 from 2-7 p.m., Nashua High School North, 8 Titan Way

Bedford

Feb. 20 from 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Bowman Place at Olde Bedford, 24 Old Bedford Rd.

Hudson

Feb. 18 from 1- 6 p.m., Alvirne High School, 200 Derry Rd.

Merrimack

Feb. 25 from 1- 6 p.m., John O’Leary Adult Community Center, Inc, 4 Church St.

Milford

Feb. 21 from noon – 5 p.m., Milford NH Masonic Temple, 30 Mont Vernon St.