The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give blood or platelets during National Volunteer Month this April.

Eligible donors of all blood types are needed to help ensure blood products are available for patients this spring.

Volunteer donors are the only source of blood products for those in need of transfusions, and the Red Cross salutes the volunteer blood and platelet donors who help fulfill its lifesaving mission.

While donors of all blood types are needed, the Red Cross currently has a severe shortage of type O blood donations and urges type O donors to give now.

To make an appointment, download the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).

To celebrate the final season of “Game of Thrones,” HBO and the American Red Cross have also partnered to encourage fans and donors to show their bravery and valor by bleeding #ForTheThrone.

Those who come to donate by April 30 will be automatically entered for a chance to win a full-size Iron Throne from “Game of Thrones.”

Terms and conditions apply and are available at RedCrossBlood.org/HBOGameofThrones.

Additionally, all donors who donate between April 11-30 will receive a commemorative Bleed For The Throne poster, while supplies last.

Blood drives

• Lehighton: April 5, 1-6 p.m. Zion United Church of Christ, 225 Iron St.

• Coaldale: April 13, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Coaldale Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, 121 W. High St.

• Jim Thorpe: April 16, 1-6 p.m. Jim Thorpe Market, 1 River Road

• Mount Pocono, April 16: 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Mount Airy Casino Resort, 312 Woodland Road

• Tamaqua: April 17, 1-6 p.m. Tamaqua YMCA, 1201 E. Broad St.