By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostThe American Red Cross has scheduled a number of blood drives in Saline over the next few weeks to help avoid a blood shortage."While Americans begin to resume normal seasonal activities, the Red Cross is concerned about the impact this may have on blood donor turnout and the blood supply this summer. Since May 1, we have seen a huge decrease in donor turn-out, further impacting our life-saving inventory. Help us prevent a blood shortage!" the American Red Cross' Teri Novotny urged.As long as you're symptom free, feeling well, and can provide the name of the manufacturer of the vaccine you received, there’s no blood donation waiting period after getting a COVID-19 vaccine currently authorized in the U.S. Get additional Red Cross blood donation eligibility info: <a href="http://rcblood.org/eligibility">rcblood.org/eligibility</a>.Appointments are recommended. You can schedule a blood donation appointment by doing one of the following.●Download and use the American Red Cross blood donor app●Visit <a href="http://redcrossblood.org">redcrossblood.org</a>●Call 800-733-2767 Following are the scheduled Salina blood drives.American Red Cross Platelet Center, 120 W. Prescott Ave. Thursday: noon–6 p.m. Tuesday: noon–6 p.m.The Temple-Southeast of Saline Scholarship Drive, 336 S. Santa Fe Avenue June 6: 12:30-6:30 p.m.First United Methodist Church, 122 N. Eighth Street June 7: noon–6 p.m.Fraternal Order of Eagles, 146 N. Seventh Street June 8: noon–6 p.m.The Temple, 336 S. Santa Fe Avenue June 11: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.YMCA, 570 YMCA Drive June 18: 12:30-6 p.m.Liberty Football Blood Drive Tony's Pizza Events Center, 800 The Midway June 18: 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Free Liberty Football ticket to June 19vhome game – one per donor while supplies last.The Temple-Ell-Saline Scholarship Drive, 336 S. Santa Fe Avenue June 21: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

Red Cross schedules blood drives to help avoid a shortage