PORTLAND — During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give blood to support cancer patients and others.

According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 1.7 million new cases of cancer are expected in the U.S. this year. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, with nearly 253,000 women expected to be diagnosed in 2017. Cancer patients may need blood products during chemotherapy, surgery or treatment for complications.

Upcoming local blood donation opportunities include:

Androscoggin County

Greene: Saturday, Oct. 28, from 7:30 a.m. to noon, Greene Fire Department, 106 Patten Road.

Lewiston: Friday, Oct. 20, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Lewiston Memorial Armory, 65 Central Ave.; Thursday, Oct. 26, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Lewiston-Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, 415 Lisbon St.

Lisbon Falls: Monday, Oct. 30, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Lisbon High School, 2 Sugg Drive.

Cumberland County

Casco: Tuesday, Oct. 24, from noon to 5 p.m., Casco Fire and Rescue, 637 Meadow Road.

New Gloucester: Tuesday, Oct. 24, from 2 to 7 p.m., Burchard A. Dunn School, 667 Morse Road.

Franklin County

Farmington: Friday, Oct. 20, from noon to 6 p.m., Franklin Memorial Hospital.

Oxford County

Fryeburg: Tuesday, Oct. 31, from noon to 6 p.m., Gibson Recreation Center at Fryeburg Academy, 745 Main St.

Hebron: Monday, Oct. 16, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Athletic Center, 11 Old County Road.

Paris: Thursday, Oct. 19, from 2 to 7 p.m., Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School, Route 26.

Sagadahoc County

Topsham: Tuesday, Oct. 31, from noon to 5 p.m., Highlands of Topsham, 30 Governors Way.

FMI, appointment: redcrossblood.org, 1-800-733-2767.