PORTLAND — The American Red Cross is urging eligible donors throughout Maine to give blood or platelets following recent winter storms, which have compounded a severe winter blood shortage.

Snow and icy roads have forced at least 13 blood drives to cancel in Maine over the past week, causing about 343 donations to go uncollected. 

Upcoming local blood donation opportunities include:

Topsham: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at American Legion Post 202, 79 Foreside Road.

Oxford: Noon to 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 20, at Hosanna Church, 109 Schoolhouse Road.

Freeport: 1 to 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 20, at Pine Tree Academy, 67 Pownal Road.

Freeport: 1 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22, at Casco Bay YMCA, 14 Old South Freeport Road.

Norway: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, at Stephens Memorial Hospital, 18 Main St.

Auburn: 1 to 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27, at Hilton Garden Inn Auburn, 14 Great Falls Plaza.

FMI: redcross.org.

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