That's the message from the American Red Cross, which traditionally experiences a decline in blood donations during the holiday season.

"Each individual donation of blood can save a life," said Trish Burnett, Red Cross regional communications director. "It's the best gift you can give."

Blood donations decline between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day because of holiday activities, travel and inclement weather, said Laura McGuire, external communications manager for the Red Cross Heart of America Blood Services Region.

"We've been lucky with the weather so far this year," but that won't last, McGuire said.

In addition, high schools and colleges are closed for winter break. High school and college blood drives account for 20 percent of blood donations.

Furthermore, cold and flu season, which has hit Central Illinois hard in the past few days, has a negative impact because donors aren't allowed to give blood when they're sick.

In response, there are two major blood drives in the next week, the first being The Pantagraph Holiday Drive will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday at Grossinger Motors Arena, 101 S. Madison St., Bloomington. 

The Holiday Blood Drive, sponsored by the Bloomington-Normal Association of Realtors and The Vein Specialists, will be 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 28 at The Chateau, 1621 Jumer Drive, Bloomington. Illinois State University coaches will be there at various times to greet donors.

While donations decline, the demand for blood remains constant, McGuire said. Accident victims, surgery patients, organ transplant recipients and people receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease are among people who need blood. The Washington state train derailment, which injured more than 100 people, was a sad reminder that trauma doesn't take a holiday, McGuire said.

"Blood can't be manufactured," she said. "We get it from each other and the supply must be replenished."

Red blood cells have a shelf life of 42 days and platelets must be transfused within five days.

Red Cross transfers blood to where it's needed, meaning it may help a neighbor or someone in another part of the country, she said.

"All blood types are needed but we do have currently a critical need for O negative blood and B negative blood," McGuire said. O negative is the universal blood type frequently used in trauma situations.

In addition to the usual blood drives, two larger annual holiday drives are right around the corner.

While 38 percent of the population is eligible to donate blood, less than 10 percent donate. People who are at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and are healthy may be eligible to donate blood.