WICHITA — With a new year come many resolutions to form good habits and achieve personal goals. The American Red Cross encourages those who are eligible to resolve to help patients in need through regular blood donations.

Donated blood can give patients in need more time with loved ones. Blood can be used to treat cancer patients, trauma victims, organ transplant recipients, premature babies, sickle cell disease patients and more. In fact, about every two seconds a patient in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion.

As winter continues, donations are especially needed, with many donors unable to give due to inclement weather and seasonal illnesses. Make an appointment to donate blood and partake in a lifesaving resolution by visiting redcrossblood.org or calling (800) RED CROSS.

Upcoming northwest Kansas blood donation opportunities:

Decatur County
Jan. 24 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at United Methodist Church, 202 S. Topeka Ave. in Jennings.
Jan. 29 from 12-6 p.m. at Gateway, 1 Morgan Drive in Oberlin.

Ellis County
Jan. 16 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Hays Medical Center, 2200 Canterbury in Hays.
Jan. 16 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at American Red Cross, 208 E. Eighth St. in Hays.
Jan. 17 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at American Red Cross, 208 E. Eighth St. in Hays.
Jan. 21 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at American Red Cross, 208 E. Eighth St. in Hays.
Jan. 22 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at American Red Cross, 208 E. Eighth St. in Hays.
Jan. 23 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at American Red Cross, 208 E. Eighth St. in Hays.
Jan. 24 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at American Red Cross, 208 E. Eighth St. in Hays.
Jan. 28 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at American Red Cross, 208 E. Eighth St. in Hays.
Jan. 29 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at American Red Cross, 208 E. Eighth St. in Hays.
Jan. 30 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at American Red Cross, 208 E. Eighth St. in Hays.
Jan. 31 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at American Red Cross, 208 E. Eighth St. in Hays.

Osborne County
Jan. 21 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Natoma Community Center, 709 N. Second St. in Natoma.

Russell County
Jan. 30 from 12-6 p.m. at Fossil Creek Inn & Suites, 1430 S. Fossil in Russell
Jan. 31 from 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. at United Methodist Church, 332 N. Main St. in Lucas.

Sherman County
Jan. 28 from 12-6 p.m. at Methodist Church, 12th and Sherman in Goodland.

For more information, visit www.redcrossblood.org.