HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — The American Red Cross announced recently that blood donor hours at the Huntington Donor Center, located at 1111 Veterans Memorial Boulevard, will be changing.

New hours, effective immediately, will be Tuesday 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. and the last Friday of each month from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“Since more people are donating blood at community, business and school blood drives, we are adjusting our collection schedules accordingly and we are allocating our staffing resources to go where more people donate,” according to Cheryl Gergely, a spokesperson with the Red Cross.

Donated blood is used to help trauma and surgical patients, and those receiving treatment for life-threatening illnesses, such as cancer and bleeding disorders, among others. In the United States, someone needs blood every two seconds.

Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states, including West Virginia), meet weight and height requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on height) and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. Individuals should bring their Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when presenting to donate.

Appointments for the Huntington Donor Center may be made online at redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS. Information about the Red Cross is also available on Twitter at twitter.com/RedCrossGAR