Saratoga Casino Hotel is teaming up with the American Red Cross to host a Blood Drive on Monday, January 22.

Members of the local community are urged to join dozens of Saratoga Casino Hotel team members to give blood from 12 noon to 6 p.m. inside the hotel ballroom.

The blood drive comes as the Red Cross is experiencing a severe national blood shortage due to more than 200 blood drives that have been forced to cancel because of harsh winter conditions. As a result, the Red Cross is estimating they are pacing roughly 6,500 blood and platelet donations behind expectations for the year.

“There is a serious need for blood and platelet donors immediately,” remarked Patty Corvaia, communications manager for the New York–Penn Blood Services Region. “If you’ve ever considered giving blood to help save lives, now is the time to do it.”

To date, Saratoga Casino Hotel has collected more than 1,200 blood donations at its bi-annual blood drives. The collections have gone on to directly help more than 3,000 patients in need.

“Our team members and community always respond with tremendous generosity to our blood drives,” said Tom Wiedmayer, general manager at Saratoga Casino Hotel. “Our partnership with the Red Cross is something we value, and we look forward to helping them out in a time of need.”

All presenting donors at this year’s Blood Drive will receive a $5 Dunkin’ Donuts gift card and a $10 voucher to Perks Café, located in the hotel lobby. Donors are encouraged to make an appointment prior to the Jan. 22 Blood Drive. To schedule a time, call 518.581.5774 or visit redcrossblood.org.

(Saratoga Casino Hotel)