November is National Prematurity Awareness Month, and Vitalant is urging eligible donors to consider donating blood for the babies.

Premature infants commonly have anemia and need blood transfusions to help them thrive. The National Institutes of Health cites more than 80% of extremely preterm infants need at least one transfusion in their first month.

It takes donors of all blood types to keep the blood supply stable, especially type O and platelet donors. O-negative blood can help any patient. O-positive, the most common blood type, can help anyone with a positive blood type.

Vitalant will be thanking local blood donors in November with a chance to win one of two $10,000 prepaid gift cards in the Shopping Spree Giveaway. Contact Vitalant to make an appointment to give.

Upcoming blood drives include:

– Nov. 3, 4:15-7 p.m., Riverdale, Emergency Services Building.

– Nov. 26, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Harvey High School.