FARMINGTON — As influenza activity picks up this fall, the American Red Cross is urging healthy donors of all blood types to give blood or platelets to ensure a strong blood supply for patients in need.

Blood and platelets can only be given by donors who are feeling well.

One way to maintain health is to get a flu vaccine each fall. There is no waiting period to give blood or platelets after receiving a flu shot as long as the donor is symptom-free and fever-free.

For those that have the flu, it is important to wait until they no longer exhibit flu symptoms, have recovered completely, and feel well before attempting to donate. Donors must feel healthy and well on the day of donation.

All blood types are needed now, according to the state Red Cross office.

Donors of all blood types, especially platelet donors and those with type O blood, are urged to give now to ensure a stable supply this fall.

Interested donors are asked to make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org, calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767), or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities in Fairfield County include:

*Tuesday, November 5, from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm, at Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West Street;

*Friday, November 8, from 12:30 to 5:30 pm, at Walnut Hill Community Church, 156 Walnut Hill Road in Bethel/Stony Hill;

*Saturday, November 9, from 7:45 am to 1 pm, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 466 Elm Street in Monroe;

*Monday, November 11, from 12:15 to 6 pm, at The Ethan Allen Hotel, 21 Lake Avenue Extension in Danbury; and

*Tuesday, November 12, from 11 am to 4:30 pm, at Danbury Hospital, 24 Hospital Avenue in Danbury.

A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds, and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood.

High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive.

To get started, follow the instructions at redcrossblood.org/rapidpass or use the Blood Donor App.