The American Red Cross is hosting blood donation drives in May and is encouraging donors of all blood types "to give blood and platelets during Trauma Awareness Month this May and throughout the year to help ensure that trauma centers are prepared the moment an injured patient arrives," a news release states.

"Major traumas can quickly deplete a hospital's blood supply," the Red Cross said in the news release. "By giving blood, platelets or plasma regularly, donors can help ensure that enough blood is on the shelves for patients when every second matters."

People can make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1 (800) 733-2767.

The Red Cross will hold the following drives:

Colchester

• 1-6 p.m. May 20, Toyota of Colchester, 100 Old Hartford Road

Gales Ferry

• 1-6 p.m. May 15, United Methodist Church, Gales Ferry, 9 Chapman Lane

Groton

• 11 a.m.-4 p.m., May 1, Groton City Municipal Building, 295 Meridian St. Ext.

• 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m., May 2, Chelsea Groton Bank, 904 Poquonnock Road

• 2:15-7:15 p.m. May 13, St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, 310 Fort Hill Road

• 1:30-6:30 p.m. May 16, Groton City Municipal Building, 295 Meridian St. Ext.

• 8 a.m.-1 p.m., May 21, Marine Science Magnet High School, 130 Shennecossett Road

Lebanon

• 1-6 p.m., May 8, Lebanon Senior Center, 37 West Town St.

Mashantucket

• 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., May 6, Foxwoods Resort and Casino, 350 Trolley Line Blvd.

Mystic

• 1-6 p.m. May 1, Mystic Hilton, 20 Coogan Blvd.

New London

• 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. May 9, Mike's Famous Harley-Davidson, 951 Bank St.

Niantic

• 12:45 p.m.-6 p.m. May 13, Christ Lutheran Church, 24 Society Road

Norwich

• 1-6 p.m. May 2, Integrated Day School, 68 Thermos Ave., No. 2

• 12:30-6:15 p.m. May 2, Norwich Blood Donation Center, 45 Salem Turnpike

• 12:30-6:15 p.m. May 7, Norwich Blood Donation Center, 45 Salem Turnpike

• 12:30-6:15 p.m., May 14, Norwich Blood Donation Center, 45 Salem Turnpike

• 12:30-6:15 p.m., May 16, Norwich Blood Donation Center, 45 Salem Turnpike

• 12:30-6:15 p.m. May 21, Norwich Blood Donation Center, 45 Salem Turnpike

• 12:30-6:15 p.m. May 23, Norwich Blood Donation Center, 45 Salem Turnpike

Oakdale

• 1-6 p.m. May 17, Our Lady of the Lakes Church, 752 Norwich-Salem Turnpike

Old Lyme

• 8 a.m.-6 p.m. May 8, First Congregational Church, 2 Ferry Road

Waterford

• 12:30-6:15 p.m. May 3, Waterford Town Hall, 15 Rope Ferry Road

• 1-6 p.m. May 17, Crystal Mall, 850 Hartford Turnpike

• 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. May 20, Orthodontic Associates of Southeastern Connecticut, 196 Waterford Parkway South, No. 305

Those who donate blood, platelets or plasma with The Red Cross through June 10 will receive a $5 Amazon.com gift card via email. Restrictions apply; see amazon.com/gc-legal. More information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.