March 7. This March, the American Red Cross is honoring those who make its mission possible during the 80th annual American Red Cross Month celebration.

American Red Cross Month celebrations are a national tradition that began in 1943 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the first Red Cross Month proclamation.

Anyone can participate in Red Cross Month by visiting redcross.org to make a financial donation, give blood or platelets, become a volunteer or take a class in lifesaving skills, such as first aid, CPR and how to use an AED.

On March 22, anyone interested can join the annual Red Cross Giving Day campaign by donating to help provide shelter, food, relief items, emotional support and other assistance for people affected by disasters big and small.

Prevent a blood shortage

When volunteer blood and platelet donors lend an arm this March, they’ll help keep the blood supply from dropping this spring.

All who come to give blood, platelets or plasma during March will receive a $10 Visa Prepaid Card by email. Plus, donors will be automatically entered for a chance to win a $3,000 Visa Prepaid Card. There will be five winners.

Here are local blood drives:

Cornelius

2 pm – 6:30 pm, March 16: First Baptist Church Cornelius, 21007 Catawba Ave.

Davidson

10 am – 3 pm March 10: Community School  of Davidson, 404 Armour St.

Huntersville

11:15 am – 6:15 pm March 7: Huntersville Blood Donation Center, 9800 Kincey Ave., Suite 110

11:45 am – 6:45 pm March 8:Huntersville Blood Donation Center, 9800 Kincey Ave., Suite 110

7:45 am – 2:45 pm March 10: Huntersville Blood Donation Center, 9800 Kincey Ave., Suite 110

7:45 am – 2:45 pm March 11: Huntersville Blood Donation Center, 9800 Kincey Ave., Suite 110

7:45 am – 2:45 pm March 12: Huntersville Blood Donation Center, 9800 Kincey Ave., Suite 110

11:15 am – 6:15 pm March 13: Huntersville Blood Donation Center, 9800 Kincey Ave., Suite 110

11:15 am – 6:15 pm March 14: Huntersville Blood Donation Center, 9800 Kincey Ave., Suite 110

11:45 am – 6:45 pm March 15: Huntersville Blood Donation Center, 9800 Kincey Ave., Suite 110

7:45 am – 2:45 pm  March 17: Huntersville Blood Donation Center, 9800 Kincey Avenue, Suite 110

7:45 am – 2:45 pm March 18: Huntersville Blood Donation Center, 9800 Kincey Ave., Suite 110

7:45 am – 2:45 pm March 19:  Huntersville Blood Donation Center, 9800 Kincey Ave., Suite 110

11:15 am – 6:15 pm March 20: Huntersville Blood Donation Center, 9800 Kincey Ave., Suite 110

11:15 am – 6:15 pm March 21: Huntersville Blood Donation Center, 9800 Kincey Ave., Suite 110

11:45 am – 6:45 pm March 22: Huntersville Blood Donation Center, 9800 Kincey Ave., Suite 110

8 am – 1 pm March 23:Hopewell High School, 11530 Beatties Ford Rd.

7:45 am – 2:45 pm March 24: Huntersville Blood Donation Center, 9800 Kincey Ave., Suite 110

7:45 am – 2:45 pm March 25: Huntersville Blood Donation Center, 9800 Kincey Ave., Suite 110

7:45 am – 2:45 pm March 26: Huntersville Blood Donation Center, 9800 Kincey Ave., Suite 110

11:15 am – 6:15 pm March 27: Huntersville Blood Donation Center, 9800 Kincey Ave., Suite 110

11:15 am – 6:15 pm  March 28: Huntersville Blood Donation Center, 9800 Kincey Ave., Suite 110

11:45 am – 6:45 pm March 29: Huntersville Blood Donation Center, 9800 Kincey Ave., Suite 110

7:45 am – 2:45 pm March 31: Huntersville Blood Donation Center, 9800 Kincey Ave., Suite 110

3 pm – 7:30 pm March 31: Southlake Chrisitan Academy, 13820 Hagers Ferry Rd.