The American Red Cross this week urged eligible donors to give blood this summer for hospital patients in need and offered three steps people can take to help save lives.

The steps are:

• Scheduling an appointment. The Red Cross advised people to use the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call (800) 733-2767) to make an appointment.

• Preparing for the appointment. Donors should get a good night’s sleep, eat a nutritious meal and drink extra fluids, the Red Cross said.

• Giving blood. The donation process start-to-finish takes about an hour. The actual donation only takes about 10 minutes.

Only about 3 percent of the U.S. population gives blood, which means a heavy reliance on repeat donors to maintain a sufficient blood supply, the Red Cross said in a news release. New blood donors are especially needed during the summer months because many schools where blood drives are held — and where new donors give — are not in session, and current donors often delay giving due to summer vacations.

This month, the Red Cross joined blood collection agencies around the world in marking World Blood Donor Day by raising awareness about the need for a readily available blood supply.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities in New London County include:

• Mystic: 1:30-6:30 p.m. June 27 at the Mystic Hilton, 20 Coogan Blvd., and 12:30-6:15 p.m. at the Hugo A. Simonelli VFW Post 3263, 60 Stonington Road. Also, 1-6 p.m. July 7 at the Stoneridge Retirement Community, 186 Jerry Browne Road.

• New London: noon-5 p.m. June 30, Lawrence + Memorial Hospital, 365 Montauk Ave.

• Niantic: 1:30-6:30 p.m. June 23, St. Agnes Church, 22 Haigh Ave.

• Norwich: 12:30-6:15 p.m. June 19, 12:30-6:15 p.m. June 22, 12:30-6:15 p.m. June 26, 12:30-6:15 p.m. June 29, and 12:30-6:15 p.m. July 6 at the Norwich Donor Center, 45 Salem Turnpike. Also, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. June 27 at the Department of Developmental Services office, 401 West Thames St., Building 100, Campbell building; 7:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m. June 30 at the William W. Backus Hospital; and 1:45-7:15 p.m. June 20, Dodd Stadium, 14 Stott Ave.

• Old Lyme: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. July 7, Old Lyme Town Hall, 52 Lyme St.

• Waterford: 1-6 p.m. June 30, Crystal Mall, 850 Hartford Turnpike, and 12:30-6:15 p.m. July 7, Waterford Town Hall, 15 Rope Ferry Road.