PORTLAND — The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give blood during National Volunteer Month this April. Donating blood is a simple way for those who are short on time to make a life-changing difference.

Make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). All those who come to donate from April 9 to May 13, 2018, will be entered to win one of three $1,000 gift cards to a national home improvement retailer, courtesy of Suburban Propane. (Restrictions apply. More details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Lets-Do-More.)

Upcoming local blood donation opportunities include:

Lewiston: Central Maine Medical Center Blood Donation Center, 60 High St. Visit tinyurl.com/yd7522ll to schedule with this center or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

Rumford: noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 18, at Eagles Rumford, 13 Oxford Ave.

Lewiston: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, April 19, University of Southern Maine’s Lewiston-Auburn College, 51-55 Westminster St.

Auburn: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 21, at Saint Philips Parish, 2365 Turner Road.

Auburn: 1 to 6 p.m. Monday, April 23, at Hilton Garden Inn Auburn, 14 Great Falls Plaza.

Lewiston: 2 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 24, at Farwell Elementary School, 84 Farwell St.

Farmington: noon to 6 p.m. Friday, April 27, at Franklin Memorial Hospital, 1 Hospital Drive.