A new American Red Cross blood donation site at North 21st and Church streets is more than a place to give blood. The former Family Video building transformed into a place that also collects life-saving platelets for the first time in Licking County in at least 20 years.

The American Red Cross of Idaho, Montana, and East Oregon are asking donors in the area to roll up their sleeves and give blood during National Blood Donor Month this January.

The American Red Cross is giving away Super Bowl tickets to prevent a critical blood shortage. Starting this week through the rest of the month, every person who donates blood through the Red Cross will automatically be entered to win two tickets to Super Bowl 59.

The American Red Cross is urging blood donors to make an appointment to give lifesaving blood or platelets this month to help keep the blood supply strong this winter. Type O negative blood donors

With January being National Blood Donor Month, the American Red Cross is encouraging people to donate now, more than ever. Just after a series of blizzards hit the Midwest, the foundation said its behind on supply collection.