Construction is underway to improve the donor experience at the Red Cross Community Blood Donation Center in Merrillville. New blood drives have been scheduled across the area to accommodate donors as the Donation Center is temporarily closed as crews complete work.

New Blood Drives Scheduled in Merrillville:

• Thursday, July 31 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Red Cross Bloodmobile at Culver’s restaurant located at 1579 E 79^th Avenue, Merrillville, IN 46410
• Wednesday, August 6 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Red Cross Blood Drive at the Dean and Barbara White Community Center located at 6600 Broadway, Merrillville, IN 46410
• Thursday, August 14 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Red Cross Bloodmobile at Culver’s restaurant located at 1579 E 79^th Avenue, Merrillville, IN 46410
• Tuesday, August 19 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Red Cross Blood Drive at the Dean and Barbara White Community Center located at 6600 Broadway, Merrillville, IN 46410

Donors can visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter their zip code to find a full list of blood drives and make an appointment to give blood.

In thanks, those who come to give by July 31 will receive a Fandango Movie Reward by email. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/July.

Those who come to give Aug. 1-28 will receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. Plus, the Red Cross will perform free A1C testing, commonly used to screen for prediabetes and diabetes, on successful donations (one test result per 12-month period). Visit RedCrossBlood.org/Test for more information.

About the American Red Cross Indiana Region:

The American Red Cross of Indiana Region serves 6.9 million people in 104 counties in Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Ohio through its chapters: Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest, and Greater Indianapolis (Regional Headquarters). The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit us at Redcross.org/Indiana or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @indianaredcross.